what to include in a personal statement for dental school

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Dental School Personal Statement: The Ultimate Guide (Example Included)

Learn step-by-step how to write a unique dental school personal statement, including a full length example.

your dental school personal statement can mean the difference between and acceptance and a rejection

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: how to write a dental school personal statement, part 3: common dental school personal statement errors to avoid, part 4: full length dental school personal statement examples.

If you’re applying to dental school and beginning to contemplate your dental school personal statement, you likely fall into one of two categories:

You aced the DAT, have an excellent GPA, and after all of the work you put in for those scores you’re thinking, “I have no energy left… Does the personal statement even matter?”

Your DAT and/or GPA are good or average, and you’re stressed about how you can improve your overall application by writing an absolutely amazing personal statement.

Whatever position you find yourself in, this guide will address your concerns. We’ll explain the importance of the dental school personal statement and why it can make or break even the best application. We’ll also provide detailed, step-by-step guidance on how to write an excellent personal statement, along with multiple full-length dental school personal statement examples so you can see for yourself how it’s done. 

How much does your dental school personal statement matter?

If you’ve got a good score on the DAT and a high GPA, this question has likely crossed your mind. It is true that admissions committees can and do use these scores to quickly sift through the thousands of applications they receive each year. That said, these scores are not on their own sufficient to get you accepted to the dental school of your dreams.

There are plenty of stories of applicants who had a strong GPA and an unbelievable DAT score but were not accepted to their top choice dental school (or any dental school at all). Often, the personal statement is the distinguishing element that can ruin a great application or significantly enhance an average application.

The good news is that there are predictable strategies for writing an excellent dental school personal statement—more on those momentarily.

(Suggested reading: How Hard Is It to Get Into Dental School? )

What is the goal of a dental school personal statement?

With both your GPA and your DAT score, the goal is quite obvious—the higher the better. It may be tempting to assume that the applicant with a 22 DAT and 3.8 GPA will be accepted over the candidate with a 20 DAT and 3.6 GPA, however the admissions process is not nearly this cut and dry, and it is often the personal statement that can separate these two candidates in the minds of an admissions committee.

So, what is the goal of a personal statement? The answer is remarkably simple: the goal of the personal statement is to get the admissions committee interested in you as a person, and to make them want to meet you. 

The entire goal of your application is to land an interview at as many dental schools as possible (or at least at your dream school), and the personal statement is your opportunity to demonstrate your unique and interesting characteristics.

Think of your application as building a house. 

Your GPA and DAT scores are like the blueprints. They are mathematically based and must meet specific structural and engineering requirements in order to support the eventual home. While there is certainly variation in blueprints between different homes, there are specific benchmarks and requirements that must be met for blueprints to meet city building codes and be approved. 

Your personal statement, however, is a much more creative process similar to the interior and exterior design of the home. What color of paint will you choose? What type of windows do you want? Will you select a specific theme for the furniture, drapes, and paintings? After all of these creative decisions have been made, two homes with identical blueprints could have a drastically different appearance. 

While the creative and subjective aspects of writing an excellent personal statement may feel overwhelming to the more analytical students who make up a large portion of dental school applicants, the good news is that there are very clear strategies that can help guide you in this creative process.

According to the ADEA , “ Your personal statement is a one-page essay (not to exceed 4,500 characters, including spaces, carriages, numbers, letters, etc.) that gives dental schools a clear picture of who you are and, most importantly, why you want to pursue a career in dentistry .”

That doesn’t quite convey the real goal of your statement, which is to convince the admissions committee that you, as a person, are interesting and unique, and to compel them to want to meet you off the page. 

Just as understanding the goal of your personal statement is critical, starting the brainstorming process with a general roadmap can help simplify an otherwise overwhelming process.

Fortunately, there is a simple and well-tested format that has been followed by many successful dental school applicants. 

Outlining your dental school personal statement

We’re fans of knowing exactly where you’re going before you even begin writing. Here’s the general format that we recommend using for your personal statement:

Intro : Engage the reader immediately with an interesting introductory paragraph

Body : Illustrate your unique dental journey in 3–5 paragraphs

Conclusion : Reinforce your passion for dentistry and tie back to the introduction

But how do you fill these in paragraphs with information that’s engaging and, most importantly, conveys what’s unique about you? What should you include? Next, we’ll go over five steps that will help you draw out the best topics for your dental school personal statement.

Step 1: Brainstorming

Begin by brainstorming possible topics or areas for your personal statement. Our recommendation is to come up with far more than you’ll actually end up writing about—even as many as 30. 

We know what you’re thinking: Why would I brainstorm 20+ ideas and experiences when only 3–5 will actually make it into my personal statement?

The answer: Often a bad personal statement comes about because an applicant has chosen the wrong topic. Sometimes applicants choose clichéd material, or material that isn’t personally meaningful. Then they feel locked into the essay they’ve begun. But, by brainstorming strategically, and working with someone whose opinion you trust on subject matter, you can position yourself to enter the writing phase confident that you’ve got a subject you can write about fluently and passionately.

To get there, we like an exercise called “ the Rule of 5s ” that provides a systematic approach to guide the brainstorming process.

While we’re calling this the Rule of 5s, it could just as easily be the Guideline of 5s—the number five is simply a good target to help you stretch. However, don’t get too caught up on it. If you have three or four examples in one category and seven in another, that is fine. 

Here’s the Rule of 5s: Brainstorm five good examples in each of the five categories listed below:

Five significant life experiences

Five unique and interesting accomplishments

Five unique and interesting hobbies or interests

Five failures and five lessons you learned from them

Five challenges or setbacks you have faced and had to overcome

Step 2: Your personal journey to dentistry

After completing the Rule of 5s brainstorming activity, your next step is to outline your personal journey to dentistry in a way that clearly answers the question of why you want to be a dentist. This outline should be concise and can even be in bulletpoint form. That said, be detailed and try to think of any key experience, interaction, person, class, conversation, or “aha!” moment that influenced you to ultimately choose a career in dentistry. 

When your outline is finished, review it and identify 3–5 of the most interesting and unique aspects of your journey. If you are having difficulty narrowing it down, consider reviewing the other areas of the ADEA AADSAS application (Dental Experience, Employment, Extracurricular Activities, Research, Volunteer) and see if some of your experiences can be included in sections other than your personal statement.  

Step 3: Choose a memorable opening

Admissions committees will be reading thousands of statements every application cycle, and many applicants will have similar stories about why they want to become dentists. Perhaps they had a good experience in dentistry early on. Perhaps they like science and want to help people. Those aren’t unique attributes in dental school applicants. You’re going to have to begin with something that’s more particular, interesting, and specific to you. 

Let’s look at two different openings to see how they work and why.

Here’s June’s first attempt at an opening paragraph:

Growing up in a middle-class community I had the opportunity to go to my family dentist every six months. For most of my childhood, these visits were fairly routine as I had good oral hygiene and no major dental issues. However, when I was 16 years old, I chipped my two front teeth in an accident. My dentist was able to repair them and they looked even better than before the accident. At that point, I knew I wanted to be a dentist. I attended college and selected biology as my major as I have always enjoyed the sciences. I view dentistry as the perfect combination of art and science that will allow me to help other people the way my dentist helped me.  

What aspect of herself is June emphasizing here? It’s hard to tell. She’s beginning with a story of wanting to become a dentist, but the writing is noncommittal and generic. It doesn’t give us something memorable about her to hold onto, and this paragraph is in no way unique to her experience or dental journey.

Let’s take a look at Marissa’s opening:

As I looked down, I couldn’t believe what I saw. One of my central incisors had been knocked completely out of its socket and sat in a small but noticeable circle of blood near the free-throw line on the basketball court. Just seconds before, I had taken an elbow to the face at the start of the fourth quarter of our state championship high school basketball game. As any high school senior would do, I picked up the tooth, put it in a cup and handed it to my coach. I finished the game with only one central incisor. My parents still have a picture of me on their fridge, hoisting the state championship trophy with an awkward, closed-mouth smile as I tried to hide the missing tooth. Little did I know that six months later, after a failed attempt to save the tooth and the eventual decision to get an implant, the determination and effort I had previously put into basketball would be transferred into my passion of becoming a dentist.

What works here? It’s simple. Marissa tells a story. She gives us images, characters, and a scene. Then she immediately ties that scene into her long-term narrative: becoming a dentist .

By opening with an anecdote and setting the scene the way a movie director might, you draw us into your story and stand out from the pack.

As you think about what anecdote you might use to open your personal statement, remember that it does not have to be directly related to dentistry. Ultimately, however, you will want to tie the anecdote into your dental journey.

Step 4: Connect your opening with your personal journey to dentistry

With your memorable opening created (step 3) and your unique journey to dentistry outlined (step 2), you are most of the way to completing your personal statement.  

The key to an excellent personal statement is finding a creative yet smooth way to connect your personal experiences with your professional journey into dentistry, with a clear and concise answer to the question of why you want to be a dentist.

Let’s take one example from Yasmin: 

I can still remember my heart pounding before my first “major” performance. I was six years old and had been asked to sing “Happy Birthday” in front of the entire family for my grandma’s 80th birthday. I love singing, and in high school and college I sang in a folk band with three of my friends. At times, singing has been my life, providing an escape from the day-to-day stresses and difficulties that we all face. And oddly enough, there’s something we don’t think of when we think about singing: teeth. They’re critical to singing. My desire to pursue a career in dentistry stems from a chance encounter with a singer in Argentina who taught me about the significance of our dentition.

While the transition from singing to dentistry is somewhat abrupt, this candidate has effectively and concisely described a unique personal characteristic, singing, that transitions smoothly into telling the story of her journey into dentistry, which started in Argentina. After reading this paragraph you immediately know something unique about the candidate—she sings—and you are interested to learn more about how her interest in dentistry developed. 

Step 5: The conclusion

In most high school and college writing classes, you are taught that the conclusion should simply summarize your essay. However, in a one-page, 4,500-character personal statement, there is no room to repeat yourself. Rather than summarizing , consider using your concluding paragraph to reinforce two things in the mind of the admissions committee:

Why you want to be a dentist

Your personal and unique story

Your conclusion might refer back to one of your experiences, pulling through a message of how you hope to make an impact in the field of dentistry in the future.

Let’s look at two quick examples.

Here’s Eveline’s first attempt:

I have had several experiences that have all led me to pursue a career in dentistry. The opportunities I have had to shadow dentists have taught me that dentistry is much more than restoring individual teeth, as it incorporates a much larger scope including both oral health and systemic health. I am grateful for the opportunity to apply to dental school and I look forward to completing my studies and becoming an oral health professional focused on both the preventive aspects and restorative aspects of dentistry.

This concluding paragraph is full of buzzwords like “oral health,” “systemic health,” and “prevention,” however it ultimately does not leave the reader with any strong sense of the unique characteristics of this applicant. A paragraph like this could be found in almost anyone’s personal statement. It fails to reinforce the applicant’s specific and unique passion for dentistry, and it does not refer back to any personal experience or unique story. Eveline’s personal statement will blend in with all the rest and she will be less likely to get an on-site interview.

Here’s the conclusion that Yasmin, the folk singer, wrote: 

Much has changed since my “performance” as a scared, six-year-old singing at my grandmother’s birthday. I never would have guessed that my passion for singing would have led me on a 16-year journe: to Argentina and, eventually, to dentistry. But I know I’ve found the path for me.

This concluding paragraph is quite brief at only three sentences, but it effectively reinforces both the unique origins of this applicant’s interest in dentistry as well as the applicant’s memorable history as a singer. The reader is left thinking about the unique aspects of this applicant and will be much more inclined to want to meet them in person by extending an interview.

While there is no perfect formula that encompasses all excellent personal statements, there are some fairly common errors that can quickly transform a good statement into a poor one, drastically decreasing your chances of getting an interview. Below we will discuss six common errors to avoid.

Error #1: Writing a dental school personal statement that reads like a medical school personal statement

It’s no secret that medical school and dental school applicants have many shared characteristics. The prerequisite courses are almost identical, the overall undergraduate experiences mirror each other, and the extracurricular, leadership, research and clinical shadowing experiences have significant overlap. That said, dental admissions committees don’t want lukewarm applicants who appear to have been on a premedical route their entire undergraduate career, as this brings up questions of whether the applicant is truly dedicated to a career in dentistry or merely views dentistry as a backup plan to medicine.

Of course, many students are “pre-health" during their freshman and sophomore years as they take prerequisite science coursework and explore various health professionals including dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, PA, etc. It’s normal to have had experiences in research, leadership, direct patient care, or other extracurriculars that span various health professions and which you may want to include either in your application or your personal statement.

The secret is tailoring all of the experiences you include in such a way as to leave no doubt about your interest in dentistry. 

Let’s look at some example sentences that show how pre-health or premedical experiences can be described in a way that reinforces an applicant’s interest in dentistry.

Here’s what not to do: 

While conducting research on the production of insulin in pancreatic beta cells, I became fascinated with the human body which sparked an interest in pursuing a career that would enable me to help other people. 

An interest in the sciences and a desire to help people are two common characteristics found in nearly every applicant to any healthcare-related profession. While these are important characteristics, it is essential to take them a step further and make sure you connect them directly to dentistry. 

 It can sometimes be difficult to make that connection to dentistry if the experience occurred while you were either investigating all healthcare professions or perhaps were focused on a profession other than dentistry (i.e. medicine or pharmacy).

One tip is to realize that the connection does not have to be synchronous, meaning that even though you were not thinking about dentistry at the time of the experience, you now see how that experience connects to dentistry and enhances your interest in the field. 

We can easily imagine that the candidate who wrote the previous example was conducting research regarding diabetes during their sophomore year as a premedical student. Two years later, during their junior year, they decided to switch to pre-dental. While there is a two-year gap between the research and the eventual interest in dentistry, the link between the experience and their desire to pursue a career in dentistry is easily made in an honest and genuine way as follows:

While conducting research on the production of insulin in pancreatic beta cells, I gained an appreciation for the systemic effects of diabetes. I have subsequently become fascinated with the oral manifestations of this disease, which can allow dentists to recognize the oral signs of pre-diabetes, sometimes even before a physician.  

This example takes what could be viewed as a very medical experience (research on pancreatic beta cells) and seamlessly connects it to the applicant’s interest in dentistry. Sometimes you may need to do additional research—for instance, learning about the oral manifestations of diabetes—in order to make these connections.

Taking the time to focus any story or experience in your personal statement on dentistry will transform your essay from average to excellent. As you write your statement, continually ask yourself whether the examples and descriptions you have included could just as easily be found in a personal statement for medical school or pharmacy school or any other health profession. If the answer is yes, go back and find a way to make it hyper-focused on dentistry. 

Error #2: Telling rather than showing, or using clichéd statements rather than specific examples

It is a common pitfall to tell rather than show the reader what you are trying to say.

For example, most students choose to pursue a career in dentistry for their shared interests in science, art, and helping people. It is completely appropriate if these are your reasons as well. The secret, however, is avoiding these clichéd statements by diving in-depth into the experiences and journey you have had that has ultimately led you to a career in dentistry. Rather than telling the reader that you enjoy science, art, and helping people, show them through your unique stories and examples. 

As you write your statement, make sure to frequently ask yourself whether each paragraph and story uniquely describes you or could just as easily apply to someone else. Be sure to include details such as your hometown, family, culture, heritage, creative hobbies, physical characteristics, and anything else that is distinct to you.

Let’s look at a quick example of how you can add personalized elements and descriptions to a clichéd statement to transform it into something that is uniquely you.

What not to do: 

Growing up, I was always interested in artistic and hands-on activities. The opportunity to pursue a career in dentistry, which is a perfect blend of both artistic freedom and working with your hands, is therefore particularly appealing.

What works:

As the only child of two working parents in a rural part of Oklahoma, I often had time alone and gravitated towards hands-on, artistic pursuits, eventually developing a passion for building model airplanes. Visualizing how each small piece would eventually come together to form an airplane actually has many similarities to the field of dentistry.

Notice how the first, clichéd example tells very little about the applicant. We have no details about what makes them unique, and the sentence “tells” us that the applicant enjoys artistic and hands-on activities; however, it does not “show” this through an example.

The second example, on the other hand, provides details that likely only apply to this candidate regarding two working parents and growing up in a rural part of Oklahoma. Additionally, rather than simply telling us about their interest in hands-on, artistic pursuits, they provide a specific example of building model airplanes. 

Putting yourself in the shoes of the admissions committee, which of these two candidates would you rather meet? 

Also, take heart: the second example isn’t telling some dramatic, flashy story. It begins with something simple—being an only child in rural Oklahoma—but ties it to the larger point of the applicant’s interest in hands-on activities as well as art. You do not need to have a life-changing or dramatic story to paint a unique picture of who you are as an applicant.

Error #3: Trying to convince the admissions committee that you are smart

The hypercompetitive nature of dental school admissions can lead applicants to use the 4,500 characters of their personal statement to try to demonstrate their superior intelligence. 

This can be evident in either the specific examples and stories an applicant chooses to use or in the language the applicant employs to write their statement. Either way, this approach is rarely effective.

Here is an example of what not to do: 

As valedictorian of my high school, my teenage years were occupied by hours of studying and homework each night in order to maintain my 4.0 GPA. When I entered college, I increased my level of discipline and dedication to my studies allowing me to maintain that same level of academic excellence throughout my collegiate career, finishing my undergraduate studies with another perfect 4.0 GPA. 

Having a 4.0 GPA and being valedictorian of your high school are certainly accomplishments that should be included in your application. However, trying to convince the admissions committee of your intellectual abilities by including them in your personal statement is not wise. 

Your GPA will be apparent from your transcripts, and the “achievements” section of the AADSAS application is a perfect place to include the distinction of being valedictorian. Neither your GPA nor your high school class standing are directly related to your desire to be a dentist and therefore need not be included in your personal statement.

Personal stories and unique experiences that relate to why you want to be a dentist or that help the admissions committee get to know you on a more human level should comprise the majority of your statement.  

Remember, the goals of your personal statement are to convince the admissions committee that they want to meet you in an interview and to demonstrate that you’re personable enough to be in this patient-facing field. Sounding pompous, self-satisfied, or unrelatable will work against you.

Error #4: Repeating or summarizing what you have already described elsewhere in your application

Another common mistake is simply telling a chronological story that includes or repeats information from the rest of your application. This type of personal statement often reads like a resumé in prose form.

While it is certainly appropriate to use the personal statement to expand upon something mentioned elsewhere in your application, make sure that you are providing additional, specific information that cannot be gleaned from other parts of your application. 

For example, if you have mentioned your shadowing experience in your application, it can be appropriate to include a story in your personal statement that occurred while shadowing a dentist. Make sure, however, that you focus your personal statement on a very specific event—remember, a story or an anecdote—rather than just mentioning your overall shadowing experience.

Here are two examples that illustrate the difference between simply summarizing what you have already described elsewhere in your application and providing additional, specific information. 

What not to do:

My shadowing experience at the Jamestown Public Health Clinic taught me the importance of oral health education and prevention, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged groups.

The above sentence provides little information beyond what can already be assumed by this applicant listing their shadowing experience at a public health clinic. Stacking sentences like these one after another wastes valuable space in your personal statement. 

One day, while shadowing at the Jamestown Public Health Clinic, a three-year-old patient named Alice came in with her parents. Nearly all of her teeth were black and carious and she was crying because of the pain. Unfortunately, this situation of early childhood caries is not uncommon, especially among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. It was sobering to realize that, while the treatment options available for Alice were now limited, the entire situation could have been avoided by providing her parents meaningful oral health education and prevention techniques a mere one to two years earlier.

This example dives into the applicant’s shadowing experience in detail by describing a very specific patient encounter. The story brings to life this applicant’s shadowing experience and highlights the applicant’s ability to think critically and observe specific patient encounters with empathy while making broader connections to oral health education at a population level. This type of critical thinking will certainly be noticed by an admissions committee.  

Error #5: Including too much information rather than focusing on a handful of meaningful experiences

With only 4,500 characters, and your chances of being admitted to dental school on the line, it is understandably tempting to attempt to fit as much as possible into your personal statement. Fight this temptation!

With a personal statement, depth is more important than breadth. You can offer an angle on yourself, a story about why you want to be a dentist, and 3–5 compelling details from your personal and professional history. Don’t try to do more.

Remember, the personal statement is only one portion of your application. There are several other sections that allow you to include many experiences and achievements beyond what you discuss in your statement (i.e. Academic Enrichment, Dental Experience, Employment, Extracurricular Activities, Research, and Volunteer). 

Additionally, you will also be asked to write secondary essays for most schools, which provide additional opportunities to bring in other experiences to your application. 

And remember: this work will help you in your interviews!

The personal statement can initially appear daunting. Following the process outlined above and avoiding the five common errors can help you craft a unique and genuine statement that catches the eye of the admissions committee and secures an invitation for an on-site interview.

Additionally, taking the time to write a thoughtful, introspective, and unique personal statement will not only help get you an interview, but will be some of the best time spent in preparation to set you up for success in your interviews.  

(Suggested reading: How to Ace Your Dental School Interview )

Error #6: Not leaving enough time to edit, revise, and get feedback from trusted readers

As one of the most important components of your entire dental school application, you’ll want to invest considerable time not only in writing your personal statement, but also in editing and revising it. Part of that process involves recruiting trusted readers, such as friends, mentors, and admissions consultants, to give you valuable feedback from an outside perspective.

For these reasons, it’s a good idea to begin the writing process well before you want to submit your application. We recommend beginning about six months before you plan to apply—so if you’re counting on submitting your application on June 1st, the earliest possible day, you’ll want to start brainstorming in December.

Aim to have a full-length first draft completed by no later than the end of April. This will give you at least one month to edit, revise, and solicit feedback before submitting your application in June or July.

Part 4: Full-length dental school personal statement examples

Let’s now take a look at two full-length examples in order to put together everything we’ve discussed. Each of these essays successfully conveys who its writer is, what is unique about them, and why dentistry is their ideal career.

Dental school personal statement example #1

The summer after my freshman year, I studied abroad in Buenos Aires to learn about Argentinian culture and history, especially Argentinian folk music. I spent many evenings in town squares and restaurants listening to local folk bands. One evening, I introduced myself to an impressive lead singer after a concert. We connected, talking music and influences. I was shocked when he reached into his mouth and removed a “flipper,” which included prosthetic teeth for all four maxillary incisors. This Argentinian singer became emotional as he recounted the story of a serious motorcycle accident that had left him without his four front teeth, making it physically challenging and emotionally impossible to sing in front of a group. Unable to afford any dental treatment, he had to quit singing wholesale for several years. Fortunately, a friend eventually introduced him to a dentist who restored his pronunciation and his ability to sing in front of a crowd.   

Upon returning from Argentina, I began shadowing in dental offices. One afternoon, I observed Dr. Ashani, a general dentist, deliver a set of overdentures to a 36-year-old woman named Ashley. She had lost all her teeth due to xerostomia caused by radiation treatment for throat cancer. As Dr. Ashani placed the dentures in her mouth and handed her a mirror her entire face lit up. She had regained a sense of dignity and self-worth. I also noticed a change in Dr. Ashani. Later that day, we talked, and he said he’d been anxious about delivering the dentures as he understood both the responsibility and the opportunity he had to dramatically change this woman’s life. Those two words, “opportunity” and “responsibility,” seem to capture the essence of dentistry.

As I continued along this path, I sought a research assistant position in the lab of Dr. Delia Acosta where we focused on stem cell tooth regeneration. While we are several years away from re-growing teeth, the possibility of stem cell treatment in dentistry is fascinating at a scientific level and potentially life-changing at a human level. It is exciting to think that I might be able to provide stem cell treatments to people like Ashley or the Argentinian folk singer to restore not only dentition, but also function and confidence. And while stem cell tooth regeneration is an exciting possibility, even a traditional root canal on a painful molar or a class III filling on a maxillary incisor can have a significant impact on the life of a patient.

Much has changed since my “performance” as a scared, six-year-old singing at my grandmother’s birthday. I never would have guessed that my passion for singing would have led me on a 16-year journey: to Argentina and, eventually, to dentistry. But I know I’ve fund the path for me.

Dental school personal statement example #2

With spindly legs and frizzy hair, I backhanded the bright yellow tennis ball across the court to my opponent. She quickly ran up to the net, hit an overhead shot, and the ball zoomed towards me faster than I had expected. The next thing I knew, I was on the concrete court with a handful of blood gushing from my mouth. The ball had hit me in my face, knocking out my front tooth. I was horrified—our yearly school photographs were the next day. The first thought that raced through my mind was how I would have to smile with lips glued together, fearful of being teased by my classmates. It was in this moment that I recognized how my teeth and, specifically, my smile were so integral to who I was as a person. My teachers and friends described my smile as a contagious form of love, and the thought of losing this trait was terrifying. This experience laid the foundation for my keen interest in dentistry, a career that will afford me the opportunity to enable my patients to smile brightly and to feel like their most confident selves. 

My interest in dentistry further matured after I traveled to India to help assist with a dental health mission with my temple in the rural town of Dwarka. Here, our team set up a clinic in several tents and offered free dental services to those in need. Specifically, I assisted dental hygienists with cleanings, observed dentists fill cavities and fit dentures, and helped with dental hygiene education. I recall meeting Mona, an 8-year-old girl with a lopsided ponytail. She inquisitively wrapped the bubble gum flavored floss around her fingers and mirrored my motions guiding the tasty strings through her teeth. Her mother told me that she had received floss before, but no one had taken the time to explain how to correctly floss or the benefits of flossing. Though a simple exchange, here, I recognized the power of dental education. A brief conversation with Mona had set her on the path to healthy gums and teeth, not to mention a new friendship. 

In an effort to learn more about dentistry upon returning from India, I began volunteering at a general dentistry practice. My main duties involved welcoming patients to our practice, performing health screenings, and coordinating their follow-up care. Through this experience, I also had the opportunity to shadow Dr. Simon, a pediatric dentist who had a cabinet overflowing with yo-yos and an ability to put children at ease despite the painful procedures they were anticipating. I was frequently reminded of my own experience as a child, as many of our patients came in with broken front teeth secondary to various misadventures. Regardless of the pathology that plagued the patient, Dr. Simon took the time to ask his patients about their favorite class in school, what laughing gas flavor they preferred, and any new comic books that he should know about. As we developed a closer relationship, Dr. Simon told me that he was drawn to dentistry because it enabled him to both help kids live healthier lives and have beaming, confident smiles. He spoke with genuine conviction, and his words resonated deeply with me.

My experiences working with patients motivated me to pursue health care services research related to dentistry. My main project observed various demographics including gender, race, and socioeconomic status and categorized which adult patients have increased access to regular dental care as classified by yearly cleanings and required fillings. Here, I saw a stark difference in which patients have stable access to dental care and gained a deeper understanding of the disparities that contribute to the less reliable care of those from underserved communities. My research motivated me to institute an outreach program at the pediatric dental clinic I had volunteered at. I described the problem and constructed a proposal for which I received community funding that I subsequently used to create educational brochures for patients and their families. We also utilized this funding to offer these patients free cleanings and screenings on Friday afternoons for over a year. Through this experience, I recognized that, as a dentist, I would be able to serve as a health advocate for my patients to equally restore smiles across several communities. 

Although my experience of losing my front tooth occurred at a young age, it left a lasting impression, just as a smile does when you first meet someone. I have been fortunate to learn about dentistry through the lens of different practitioners and patients in a variety of environments. All of these experiences have culminated in my strong desire to pursue dentistry, a career that will empower me to deliver necessary care to ensure that others can live healthier lives with confident smiles. I will carry my compassion for helping others and my desire to increase equal access to healthcare services with me forward as a future dentist. 

THERE'S NO REASON TO STRUGGLE THROUGH THE DENTAL SCHOOL ADMISSIONS PROCESS ALONE, ESPECIALLY WITH SO MUCH ON THE LINE. SCHEDULE YOUR COMPLIMENTARY 30-MINUTE CONSULTATION TO ENSURE YOU LEAVE NOTHING TO CHANCE.

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10 Dental School Personal Statement Examples in

Including key tips for a strong dental school personal statement.

Before you start crafting your own stellar dental school personal statement, you must review some dental school personal statement examples. Why? These sample essays can help you brainstorm and reflect on what you would like to include in your essay. This blog dives into some dental school personal statement examples from our own past successful students, and then our  dental school advisors  will go over our proven strategies to help you create your own from scratch! As you review these examples keep in mind that these are final works and the result of multiple rounds of reviews by our admissions experts as part of our  application review  programs. Writing fantastic statements for dental school requires patience and multiple rounds of revisions before a perfect statement can be written.

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Article Contents 15 min read

Dental school personal statement example #1.

In the final moments of a key game in a hockey tournament, I jumped over the boards and onto the ice without putting my mouth guard back in place. It was attached to my helmet, but I had a chance for the puck, and I took it. Moments later, an opponent’s stick caught me in the face, knocking out my front tooth. Play stopped, and my team found my tooth on the ice. I looked to the bleachers. My mom was already on the phone getting initial instructions from our dentist for saving the tooth. Within 15 minutes, we were outside the clinic as my dentist unlocked the door, despite it being a Saturday night. As I was treated within half an hour, my tooth could be saved by stabilizing it as it healed. Until that moment, I thought of my dentist as someone I only saw every six months; I hadn’t seen her as a critical part of my healthcare team.

I realized from this experience that time is a factor in dental care, and thus a career in dentistry. My tooth was saved because I lived in an urban centre and had immediate access to care, not to mention the continuity of care I’ve had since I was a child. My mother is employed and has good dental coverage, but this is not the case for many. Without timely check-ups, both oral and medical issues that could be detected and prevented can become more serious conditions.

With this awareness, I have for the last 6 years volunteered in two ways. In the time since my hockey accident, I’ve worked with my dentist on a safety awareness campaign for young hockey players and their families, teaching about the necessity of mouth guards, as well as how a quick response to such injuries may help in recovery. I’ve also worked alongside dentists for the Smiling Children Foundation in vulnerable neighborhoods, where dental neglect is not uncommon, and continuity of care is rare. Recently, we set up a mobile clinic in a school, where I record personal information and take a medical history for each child. A young boy, 10 years old, complained of constant headaches and pain in his body. Upon examination, the dentist noticed his gums were dark purple in places and bled easily. Our team alerted a community doctor of a potential immune disorder, and the young boy was diagnosed and treated, returning to good health within months. That day, I learned that oral healthcare is holistic healthcare, and that it is a privilege to support those who may not have time, resources, or access to oral healthcare.

I have had this privilege in what began as dental shadowing and is now part-time employment, where I liaise between patients and insurance companies, manage team schedules, and comfort anxious patients. This might be as simple as holding a hand while the dentist performs the procedure. Or, I might hold a baby while the father sees the hygienist. I’ve learned to read an X-ray accurately, prepare the instruments needed for a procedure, and balance the books. I have been mentored by both a medical and business professional, and I have borne witness to our patients’ high and low points. I have worked hard to understand what goes into growing and maintaining a successful dental practice and feel capable to meet the challenge of the multiple roles required in this dynamic vocation.

It bears mentioning why my first-year grades are not what I’d hoped they would be. I joined a good number of co-curricular clubs with the intention of participating in our campus community and developing my professional skills. By midterm, I realized I had oversubscribed myself. Unfortunately, willpower and desire were not enough. My grades suffered as I tried to manage my responsibilities. By attending time management seminars and learning to manage time rather than be managed by time, I was able retrieve my grades. From 2nd year forward, I’ve maintained a 4.0 GPA while moving up the ranks of student organizations and taking an active role in a research project. Resilience is like a muscle that needs time, exercise, and perseverance to build.

From a sports accident, to volunteer work in an underserved community, to employment in a dental office and an academic career that shows both mistakes and recovery, I have thought carefully about what dentistry is. A dentist is part of a larger healthcare team, and a dentist can often treat not only a single patient over decades, but provide intergenerational care to a family. I aspire to dentistry to accompany my patients through life, 6 months at a time, offering compassionate, whole-person healthcare. (4,497 characters, including spaces)

• Inciting incident: the moment that influenced the student’s outlook on dentistry as a career is highlighted in spades. Seeing the structure here as almost like a story, you’re taking the reader on a journey from point A to point B. For the personal statement, your opening should hook in the reader. This writer does this well.
• Addresses weaknesses: the student mentions how their first-year grades weren’t what they’d hoped for. They acknowledge their faults and briefly outline the circumstances without making excuses before getting into the most important part: what they did to improve or learn from their mistakes. If you’re in a position to use your personal statement as a way to address gaps or inconsistencies, then you can follow the same rule.
• Major experiences are detailed: you need to show the admissions committee that dentistry is the right career for you. The best way to do this is to describe clinical experiences, ideally in a dental setting. The student who wrote this sample described their experiences shadowing, being a part-time employee, and volunteering at a foundation. If you have many experiences like these, don’t simply list them off, but select a few to describe in more depth.

Want some tips for writing a dental school personal statement? Check out this video:

"Ready, Set, Bake,” shouted the host of Bake-Off. I was 16 and a contestant of a televised baking show. Our 6th challenge gave us 3 hours to perfectly bake the most decadent and timing consuming dessert: the mille-feuille – layers of puff pastry, filled with whipped cream and custard, and glazed on top. Despite being the only teenager in a field of contestants ranging from 20-70 years of age, I’d made it through several days of cuts for one of the spots on the show. I wish I could say that my dessert was a masterpiece, but as the timer counted down and I plated it, the filling oozed, and the pastry crumbled. I’d made to the Top Six, but the mille-feuille defeated me and I was asked to hang up my apron. As I reflect on this experience, the solo and team challenges, the practice to get on the show, the mastery needed to gain a top spot, I realize that I’m grateful even for the defeat, because I learned valuable lessons that helped me develop key qualities and skills that are in-line with the core competencies necessary for dentistry, my chosen profession. Both dentistry and competitive baking require innovation and excellence, communication and accountability, and the necessity of precision, focus, and a steady hand.

Both of my parents are dentists. While the influence of their careers on my own access to knowledge cannot be underestimated, I have been deeply cognizant of making an autonomous career decision. That decision is my own, but my parents have admittedly opened unique conversations around ethics, technology, and patient care to me. My earliest memories include attending dental conferences with them and being encouraged to explore the Exhibits Floor, where I learned about the newest dental products and treatments and “test drove” the latest innovations in dentistry. I developed an aptitude for predicting which products and technologies were gimmicks and which would effectively support excellence in patient care. This knack has made me something of an informal consultant for my parents and their colleagues, who value my insights on innovation and efficacy of new treatments.

While technology is at the forefront of change, what remains consistent over time is the importance of communication and accountability to provide excellent patient care. I’ve had the privilege to shadow Dr. Ann Lee, an oral surgeon, over the past 3 years. Among many things, she showed me that inherent in communication is accountability. Many of her patients are children and teens having teeth extracted for orthodontic reasons. The son of a family who had been Dr. Lee’s patients for over a decade arrived for a complicated wisdom tooth extraction. Despite familiarity with the family, the doctor painstakingly reviewed the extraction process to prepare them effectively. The procedure went well in the office; however, on the way home, the boy began haemorrhaging. An artery had been compromised during the surgery. I watched as Dr. Lee packed bone wax around the artery to stem the bleeding. What struck me about this experience was the standard of accountability to which the surgeon held herself, as she communicated with the family by phone, made a house call later that evening on her way home, and remained on-call over the weekend to ensure the safety and healing of the child. The family maintained their trust in Dr. Lee because of her open communication and sense of accountability. I also learned just how fragile and technical dental work is, requiring both dexterity and precision.

Volunteering in a dental brigade in Haiti, Mirlande, 6, taught me about vulnerability and trust. Mirlande was scared and reluctant to open her mouth for her first dental exam. I took her aside and, as she watched, I carved a perfect tooth from soap using dental instruments. I carved slowly and precisely, and then presented her with the gift. She put the tooth in her pocket and then allowed me to clean her teeth. I was immediately struck by the vulnerability of not only soft tissue, but of hearts, as she leaned back and opened her mouth in trust. This moment solidified my decision to become a dentist.

Though the earlier comparison between baking and dentistry is merely an analogy, it is one that suggests I have developed key skills and am aware of the core competencies a dentist must hold to best serve their patients professionally and ethically. Dentistry is my vocation, baking a hobby, but both speak to my investment in excellence, precision, and doing for others.  (4,500 characters, including spaces)

A dental school personal statement is your opportunity to show admissions committees who you are as a person and aspiring dental professional, aside from your CV, GPA, Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) score, and other quantitative data. As any personal statement essay, the dental school personal essay should be a narrative account that gives the admissions committee the opportunity to learn more about you than what can be conveyed in a dry document like a CV or transcript. 

For dental school  ADEA AADSAS  applications, the American Dental Education Association requires an essay of no more than 4,500 characters (including spaces), which must demonstrate your key personal qualities, aspirations, and reasons for pursuing a career in dentistry to the schools to which you are applying. This process isn’t as standardized in Canadian programs, so you’ll need to check the application requirements for the programs and schools to which you are applying to see if a personal statement is required. In doing so, you can also learn whether there are any specific requirements regarding the length of the essay, whether there is a specific prompt to which you must respond in your dental school personal statement, and whether there are any other application requirements.

Want some more personal statement examples? Watch this video:

Writing a Strong Dental School Personal Statement

If you're applying to  dental schools in Canada  or the US, a personal statement, or similar essay, is often required as part of your application package, regardless of whether you're applying through AADSAS or  TMDSAS . It’s important to craft a statement that draws from your experiences, such as your dental school extracurriculars. You can also refer to your dental school application experience examples , or even your dental school letter of recommendation for help. This blog will help you understand the key things you must do (and that you must avoid) in composing your essay, with dental school personal statement examples that demonstrate these strategies, so that you can draft the strongest, most compelling dental school personal statement possible.

1. Tell a story

Ideally, you will craft a story or detail a defining moment that helped you realize why this is the profession you want to pursue. Providing an anecdote or vignette – perhaps an experience you’ve had as a dental patient, an interaction you’ve witnessed as a volunteer or while shadowing a dental care professional, a story about someone you know, etc., – is often a useful way of giving the evaluators a window into your life and motivations.

2. Demonstrate why you’re a “good fit”

Your dental school personal statement should also express why you are a strong candidate and a "good fit" for the school and program, while stirring the interest of your reader. Review our blog,  dental school acceptance rates  to find out which schools are best suited for you. Admissions committees will review hundreds of these personal statements, so draw on the values of the profession and the mission of the institution to highlight your alignment with the vision and goals of this vocation, and do so in a way that is engaging and enjoyable to read. Again, narrative is a great way of doing this – people love stories and are often naturally drawn in by them. Bear this in mind as you begin drafting your essay.

Here are some more tips for writing a dental school personal statement:

3. Be authentic and readable

In your personal statement, you want to present your very best self, emphasizing your genuine passion for the field and your enthusiasm for working in a healthcare profession like dentistry. Don’t try to cram in complicated terminology or jargon, thinking it will make you sound smarter (it won’t – true experts know how to explain their ideas effectively to an audience of non-specialists), and don’t rely on clichés (e.g., “I want to help people” – this is a lovely desire, but it’s over-used and too generic). Use polished prose that represents your genuine voice and reasons for pursuing the profession, and write in a way that will be comprehensible even to those outside this particular specialization. This can take practice. You might go through multiple drafts of your essay before you’re confident in submitting it. If you’re having trouble getting to this point, consider dental school admissions consulting . 

4. Express your desired contributions to the field

Quite simply, you need to explain why you will be a good dentist, in both practical terms and in terms of devoting yourself to patient care. You need to show that you know how to become a dentist in terms of skills and experience; there will be other opportunities to address other aspects of your candidacy through things like the dental school manual dexterity question or the multiple mini interview (MMI) collaboration station . For now, answer the following questions: what does it mean to you to dedicate yourself to the profession and to patients? What experiences have you had with the dental profession so far, and how have these impacted you? What are your priorities as an aspiring dentist? Thinking through these questions, while also pointing to concrete experiences or accomplishments that support your responses, will help the committee see not just who you are now, but who you are working to become as you pursue the goal of becoming a dental professional.

Need help with your dental school application? Learn what our students say about our services:

Things to Avoid in a Dental School Personal Statement

Here are some key “don’ts” in composing your dental school personal statement:

1. Don’t summarize your CV

Your personal statement shouldn’t simply repeat information available elsewhere in your application materials. Referring to experiences discussed in those materials, for the purpose of expanding on them or contextualizing them, is fine. Just ensure that you’re actually doing that work and demonstrating the significance of the experience(s) you describe. For example, if your CV indicates that you’ve done volunteer work at a dental clinic or with an organization, it’s totally fine to discuss this volunteer work in your personal statement; however, that discussion must go beyond what is offered in your other application materials. Your dental school personal statement shouldn't be a dry recitation of events in your CV. It should be a persuasive and engaging work that draws on just a few select experiences that epitomize your interests, priorities, and the work you've done so far in working toward becoming a dentist. For example, instead of giving names, dates, and general facts about your experience as a volunteer, you can tell a story of a particularly meaningful accomplishment or interaction, reflecting on how it helped solidify your desire to pursue this career.

2. Don’t dwell on negative experiences

If you’ve overcome challenges or if there are less-than-ideal aspects of your educational experience so far (such as a term where your GPA took a dip), it’s fine to address these in a personal statement essay. However, it is crucial that you reflect on this from a perspective of growth, resiliency, and capacity for improvement, rather than focusing on the negatives. If your grades took a hit one term because of extenuating circumstances, by all means, take some time to explain this, if you think it will be helpful (and it often is). However, the discussion around the circumstances should be minimal – just a set-up for a more substantial discussion of what you learned, how you grew, etc. – and you shouldn’t use this as an opportunity to make excuses. Rather, briefly describe the event, own up to your mistake or misstep (if applicable), and then spend the most time explaining how you addressed the issue, how you moved past it, and why you will be a better future professional for having gone through it.

Probably the biggest mistake students make is to not take the personal statement seriously enough, waiting until just a few days before it’s due to even begin. You must begin early – a strong personal statement essay can take months and numerous revisions to be the best it can possibly be. You need to put a lot of thought into this document, as it is a very important component of your application. This is your chance – and often your only chance – to address the evaluators on a human level, prior to answering  dental school interview questions , including   MMI questions . So, rather than thinking of this as a chore, think of it as an opportunity to demonstrate your best self to the admissions committee. 

4. Don’t submit your dental school personal statement without getting expert feedback

The personal statement isn’t just about what you’ve done, it’s about who you are – what your values are, what your priorities are, what your reasons for pursuing this profession are, and how all of these things align with the discipline and school you are approaching with your application package. Getting expert feedback from those on the “other side” of such applications, those who have gone through the process successfully or those who have been part of admissions committees, will give you incredibly valuable insights into how to make your own personal experiences stand out and work for you most effectively. At this stage of your professional development, you face a wealth of “unknown-unknowns”; i.e., things that you don’t even know to look for or consider, because it's likely that you simply haven’t been exposed to the field or the process long enough or in an official capacity. This can be a considerable hindrance, so don’t try to take on this task alone. Seek out expert feedback, and do so early enough that you can review, revise, and implement any necessary changes to make your dental school personal statement the best it can possibly be.

8 Dental School Personal Statement Examples

Dental school personal statement example #3, dental school personal statement example #4, dental school personal statement example #5, dental school personal statement example #6, dental school personal statement example #7, dental school personal statement example #8, dental school personal statement example #9, dental school personal statement example #10.

• Starting too late. Getting your personal statement right requires multiple edits and revisions. If you start working on your statement too late, you risk running out of time for proper revisions and edits, leaving a rushed, sub-par statement. Remember, your personal statement is a direct reflection of who you are as a person, and who you'll become as a dentist. It's not something that can be, nor should be rushed.
• Showing instead of telling, for example, saying “I'm a great listener” instead of demonstrating that you're a great listener through real examples in your essay.
• Focusing on too many experiences. In general, it's best to discuss 2-3 experiences in your personal statement. You should be able to discuss each experience in-depth, and reflect on what you learned from a particular experience. Too many experiences crammed in doesn't allow you to really expand on each experience and doesn't provide an in-depth analysis of how this experience was transformative on your path to becoming a dentist.
• Listing information that's already found in your application materials. Your personal statement is not a list, instead, it should be a story of your journey to dentistry.
• Jumping around in time. Your personal statement should be in chronological order, beginning with your initial interest in dentistry and evolving to your absolution that dentistry is the right career path for you. Jumping around in time makes for a disjointed essay that will come across as confusing to admissions committee members. In addition, you want to ensure that you utilize strong transitional sentences, as these tie together paragraphs and aid in the overall flow of your essay.
• Spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. Mistakes and errors in your personal statement are harmful because they tell admissions committees that you're not detail-oriented, you rushed your statement and because of that, you don't really care about it, or their program. Ensure your statement is reviewed multiple times, ideally with a professional's help, to ensure your essay puts your best foot forward and is free from any spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.
• Boasting. While you can certainly highlight a few key accomplishments in your statement, such as finishing at the top of your class or raising money for a good cause, it's important that you are tactful in how you phrase your accomplishments. You always want to be humble, and think about what an achievement means to you and why. Lastly, it's a good idea to reflect on what you learned from your achievements and how that can translate in your career as a dentist.

While the majority of your personal statement should be about you - your experiences and how they relate to your decision to pursue dentistry, you can certainly include information relating to another person. For example, you could mention a family member's struggle with a disease, a patient's story, or a conversation with a dentist. As long as you circle back to why this story is significant in your pursuit of dentistry, what you learned from the experience or even how an experience changed your point of view.

Your personal statement must adhere to the ADEA's character count of 4500 characters, including spaces. However, this doesn't mean that you must include this many characters. As long as your essay is below the count, it's most important that you focus on creating a powerful, in-depth essay that proves to the admissions committee why you want to be a dentist and why you would be suitable for a career in this field, then it's perfectly acceptable.

Your personal statement is one of the most important aspects of your entire dental school application. It will serve as your introduction to admissions committees – letting them know who you are a person, who you are as a candidate, and essentially, that you're suitable for a career in dentistry. A poorly crafted personal statement can result in rejection from dental school, so it's essential that your statement is both engaging and memorable to secure you an invitation to interview.

No, remember, this information will be included elsewhere in your application, so it's not suitable to include this in your personal statement.

• Brainstorm ideas.
• Create an outline.
• Focus on body paragraphs first using a maximum of 3 experiences.
• Ensure you SHOW what you learned (don’t tell) by using examples.
• Write your conclusion.
• Write your introduction last.
• Attention-grabbing introduction: Not just a thesis statement, but something interesting to draw the reader in, like a quote or a story.
• Transitions: These should lead from one paragraph to the next, creating flow. Use linking words such as however, additionally, also, next, etc.
• Strong examples: This way you are showing, not telling.
• Clear and direct language: Your language does not have to be fancy, what's most important is that it's easy to read and follow. For example, “utilize” is one of the most over-used words in academic essays and “use” works just as well.
• Conclusion: This should summarize your main points, but also leave the reader with a compelling closing sentence that makes them want to find out more about you. For example, include a call back to your opening anecdote and highlight how far you have come.

Dental school personal statement editing, just like medical school personal statement editing , is very important. Begin by writing the BEST first draft you can and then begin your edit. Don’t write something of average quality, half-done, or way over the character limit. Trying to work from these copies will only create confusion and delays. Next, you should read your essay out loud to yourself sentence by sentence to ensure it flows well and to catch any grammatical errors. Each sentence should be contributing to the overall point. If you find yourself repeating your thoughts in multiple forms, think about paring your sentences down. Quality is more important than quantity.

Next, repeat this process 2-3 times. Resist the urge to keep tinkering over and over again. There are multiple strong ways to word sentences and express your thoughts. There are probably even multiple experiences you could highlight and have an equally strong personal statement. However, obsessing over each sentence and word once you have written a strong statement will just lead to changing too many things, delays, you feeling nervous, and sometimes even a weaker essay than you started with!

Yes, you can definitely mention experiences in your personal statement that are non-academic or not related to dentistry. A strong experience to mention should be one that taught you important skills and that influenced your decision to pursue dentistry. Personal experiences can also have a strong influence on which profession you pursue, so you can definitely mention non-academic experiences.

It’s certainly normal to want input from others when we are crafting personal statements. A strong reviewer is one who has experience and expertise with professional school applications and has helped other students before. For example, someone with an advanced degree like a practicing dentist or other professional. Even though you may feel tempted to ask friends and family, you may want to refrain from this, as they are often invested in your success and may find it hard to be objective.

Try to find someone who does not know you so well so they can give objective guidance. The other thing you want to avoid is having “too many chefs in the kitchen.” Too many different people reviewing your statement is only going to pull it in too many different directions, ultimately leading to confusion and even more delays. And again, some students might feel more comfortable using a dental school admissions consulting service for this aspect of their application.

Just like you would address this during an interview, your statement can address areas of concern by following these steps:

• Take responsibility.
• Explain mitigating factors.
• Don't make excuses.
• Share strategies for what you learned and how you would avoid a situation like this in the future. 
• Make sure you end on a positive or proactive note.

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Have a question ask our admissions experts below and we'll answer your questions.

Yutika Maharaj

Hi there Do you have any sample personal statements for a foreign trained dentist applying to ADEA PASS and ADEA CAAPID. Thanks

BeMo Academic Consulting

Hi Yutika! Thanks for your comment. As an international applicant, your personal statement should follow the same structure and contain pertinent info about yourself and your application. Use these samples to construct your own, unique narrative!

It is remarkable, very good information

Thanks, Code!

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The personal statement is one of the most important parts of the ADEA AADSAS ® (ADEA Associated American Dental School Application Service) application. It gives a dental school’s admissions committee the opportunity to assess your motivations and decide if you will be extended an invitation to interview. Often, it takes a long time to write it, and individuals may feel lost on how to approach it. I will help guide you on the path to successfully writing an effective personal statement. 

You should be very clear on the statement’s purpose. Apart from being clear on the dental or dental hygiene program and/or university’s mission focus, you should also be aware of and communicate what you want to achieve by becoming a health care provider. Ask yourself these questions:

• What drives you to be a dentist or dental hygienist?
• What will you achieve by becoming a dentist or dental hygienist?

These questions are important and should be answered within the personal statement. If you have clear answers, you will have a clear vision of the content of your personal statement’s purpose.

The next step is to define the content before you start writing the essay. It should revolve around your personal story, which could start from anywhere you like. For example, you could start when you chose to pursue this profession, or you can start from the present and explain how you’re investing time in and outside of school into building yourself into a better future dentist or dental hygienist. The beginning should be impactful , but do not sit on the beginning statement too long. Rereading and editing will help you get there. Sometimes, you might need to write the whole essay to identify a clear beginning statement.

After a decent beginning, focus on the rest of the story. Remember, it is a personal statement and it should be personal. Convey your story in an interesting manner. Project your personality. The admissions committee knows your GPA and have your CV/resume. What they want to know is who you really are. Add anecdotes from the journey that brought you to dentistry/dental hygiene. Add experiences from your personal life that highlight certain qualities essential to being a successful health care provider. If there were any dentists that you admired, shadowed or worked for who encouraged you to follow suit into dentistry, make sure you highlight the characteristics you admired in them.

Concluding statements are important, too. There should be a delightful epilogue to your essay summarizing the intent, while throwing light on the future and how completing the dental program will put you in a better position to help the community overall.

Use of Language

Judging the quality of your grammar is not the admissions committee’s goal when they read personal statements, but it serves to your advantage if you are meticulous with the words you choose. Certain avoidable grammatical or syntax errors may shift the focus of the reader from the message to the mistakes. It is important to reread and edit out such mistakes. Doing so also conveys your sincere efforts toward making a successful application.

Sentence structure is also important in making a script that flows well and keeps the reader’s attention. Small, interrupted sentences may not allow the reader to follow your thoughts through the punctuation marks, while long, complicated sentences may leave the reader stranded and confused with no closure. We often do not realize these mistakes as we write because the focus is not on sentence structure but on the content. Make sure you go back and read the essay thoroughly to make it easy for others to read. Follow up by using the most suitable conjunctions and transitional words and phrases.

Give yourself plenty of time for the writing process. Always try to start the personal statement early and do not leave it for last. Take a day off, sleep well, focus and write the first draft of the personal statement. At this point, do not think of the word limits and grammar—simply put your heart on paper and then, forget about it. Reread and edit it, afresh. Repeat the process three to four times and then seek help from an advisor or your friends and family. Let at least three to four trusted people read it and ask them to give their opinions and criticisms. Make sure they understand what you are trying to convey in the first place, then consider all their suggestions. Make edits per your liking and, at this stage of editing, lock down the major content of your essay. If your reviewers’ suggestions are contrasting and confusing, it is okay to make two separate drafts and elect to use the one that appeals to you the most. Edit and re-edit the draft you like the best and ask the reviewers to review the new version(s) again. You can always get new people to review it as well.

After you are happy with the content, focus on the language and presentation. Ask the reviewers to read it again and submit it after you feel confident about it. While taking suggestions from others, remember it is your personal statement, so stay true to yourself and do not sway from being yourself to impress others.

Good luck! 

About Anirudha Agnihotry, B.D.S., D.D.S.:

Anirudha Agnihotry, B.D.S., D.D.S.

General Dentist/Clinical Researcher

Private Practice, California

Dr. Agnihotry graduated from Manipal College of Dental Sciences with a Bachelor's in Dental Surgery (B.D.S.) degree in 2012. After a one-year clinical internship, he joined the faculty in the Operative Dentistry and Endodontics Department in Mahatma Gandhi Dental College, where he also maintained a faculty practice. After that, he moved to Divya Jyoti College of Dental Sciences and Research in the Public Health Dentistry. There, Dr. Agnihotry worked setting up community outreach clinics and school oral health programs as well as training dental students. In 2014, Agnihotry moved to the United States and completed a post-graduate certificate training in Restorative Dentistry and following that, worked as a researcher in the same department at the University of California, Los Angeles. After that, he enrolled in an intense accelerated program to obtain his Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree in two years, graduating in 2018. He is currently practicing general dentistry in California.

Dr. Agnihotry has been in dentistry for 12 years, as a student and a teacher at times. He has published 12 international scientific research papers, presented in international conferences, is a referee for six international scientific journals and has also written a textbook chapter. His focus is patient-centered outcomes and secondary research with clinical outcomes in focus. Apart from dentistry, he enjoys swimming, playing squash, running, biking, barbecuing and takes a keen interest in all art forms.

• Dental Hygiene
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• May 18, 2022
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How To Write A GREAT Dental School Personal Statement

Updated: Oct 12, 2022

You've got everything in order for your dental school application (DAT scores, Transcripts, Shadowing) except one last remaining item, the personal statement. You've looked at it and looked at it again multiple times, only to realize that there are zero instructions on how to write it. It literally only has two words on it, "Personal Statement" and nothing else... What are you suppose to do?

Table of Contents:

Introduction - Why is a personal statement so difficult to write?

The greatest fallacy of a dental school personal statement, the actual purpose of a personal statement, tips for what you should include in the personal statement, things to avoid in your personal statement, an example of my dental school personal statement, takeaway and alternative uses.

It is incredibly difficult to write due to the breadth of the topic and the inherent vagueness of what you're suppose to answer. In regards to it's open-endedness, it is equivalent in complexity to the interview question , "So, tell me about yourself." The only difference is that this is being asked in a written format as opposed to a verbal one.

The reason why most people get stuck on how to start writing it

The reason for why the vast majority of people get stuck on how to write it is because they're looking for a question to answer but slowly realize that there isn't actually a question to answer. Akin to the interview question above, it is technically not a question but rather a directive statement .

Yes, that is correct. People get stuck on trying to find a question to answer except for the fact that there is no question. This is very different from all of the other questions that are part of your supplemental dental school applications.

Some common questions in the supplemental applications:

Why do you want to go to this school?

What are you strengths?

What are you weaknesses?

Are you curious as to what you are supposed to do in this case? There is a legitimate purpose to a personal statement (PS) and its not there just to put you on the spot or see what kind of creativity this prospective dental student can create out of thin air... But, before that we should address one widely held misconception.

Despite not having a direct question to answer, the vast majority of us could unanimously agree that the most important question which you should answer in a personal statement is, "Why do you want to be a dentist?" but that in itself is the greatest fallacy. It is an important question but it is not THE most important question which you should answer.

Imagine for a second if you were an admissions committee member (ADCOM) reading through all of these statements.

They're all trying to tell you why they want to be a dentist.

They're all listing traits and characteristics of what will make them a good dentist

They're telling you stories about their experiences with dentistry.

They're trying to tell you what it is that led them to wanting to choose dentistry as a career.

Basically, you're trying to convince whoever is reading your statement that you'd make a good candidate for the next incoming class of dental students. But you should pause for a moment and rethink that. Is that really the most important thing running through the admissions committee member's head when they are reading this?

Are they simply choosing another kid to be one of the next dental students? No, that couldn't be further from the truth because the admissions committee member's job is far more important than that. They're not just choosing another dental student, they're choosing a future colleague because the ADCOMs are the gatekeepers of their respective profession. Only one question runs through their mind while they're reading your personal statement.

Is he/she one of us?

That is THE most important question that you must answer in your dental school personal statement. It actually sums up all four of the bullet points above about what people try to write about. Is he/she one of us?

The entire purpose of your dental school personal statement is built around convincing the ADCOM that you are one of them. You're not writing about why you want to be a dentist because that only helps you sort out your feelings in regards to the decision that you're about to make. Its relevant but doesn't directly answer the question on their mind.

They're not screening for a dental student but for a future colleague and where they draw the line is by determining which side of the line you fall on.

Are you on our side?

That is an incredibly important concept to understand. Imagine a multi disciplinary conference where dentists, physicians, optometrists, and pharmacists all congregated together. After about a few minutes of casual conversing, all of the dentists would most likely all congregate together because they not only bond over daily experiences but they also inherently know who is one of them just through conversation.

Alternatively, if you've ever had a retail job or any job for that matter. All of your coworkers all stand on one side because you're one team and then there is everyone else, namely the customers. Whenever an incident between a staff member and a customer occurs, think of the words that are being used.

We were just doing our jobs!

They started making a mess by tearing clothes off the shelf.

They were drinking a smoothie while browsing clothes and spilled all over it.

We had to clean up after them before the store manager returned.

So, which side are you on and how do you get from one side to the other?

Make the first sentence count and the whole first paragraph for that matter.

You should tell a story.

Acknowledge the challenges of dentistry.

You need to make an impact and that impact needs to be destructive because people will skim read so you need to grab them immediately and never let go. This is the perfect place to incorporate industry jargon or something that only an insider would know about and be able to relate to.

All the patients refer to them as xrays but we use different terms such as PAs, BWs, FMX, and PANO.

Demonstrate to me that you are an insider and not an outsider.

Do it tactfully because we know that you are not yet a dentist but at the same time we need to know that you're not just blowing hot air. How would you know this information? Well, what did you think the shadowing was for? Heh. There are a million more examples, be creative.

Highlight your strengths through telling a story, for example if you want your reader to know that you're a dedicated hard worker, don't just state that you are a hard worker because all healthcare professionals are trained through experience that patients are typically poor historians. We sort of apply that concept to all information that we receive in life and a prospective dental student giving us information is no different.

Let me tell you a story. Back in residency when we were on call to repair facial lacerations... most of the patients that were brought in would tell us that they tripped and fell, therefore sustained a 5 inch laceration across their face. What we write in our clinical notes is as such:

Patient allegedly tripped and fell, sustaining a 5 inch laceration across their face.

The keyword is allegedly because we don't know if it is true or not but simply what the patient stated. The same applies to your PS, you're allegedly a dedicated hard worker.

In order for you to sound more convincing, you need to tell it to me in a colorful story. Don't even mention that you're a dedicated hard worker but instead you should say something along the lines about how you're the last one to leave after work and you've even stayed quite a few times well after your shift has ended just to finish up your work. That invokes the image of a hard worker without even having to mention it.

You know that as glamorous as dentistry may seem to you, it is a HARD profession. It isn't all rainbows and unicorns all the time because it is ROUGH being a dentist. There is the good, the bad, and the ugly but that is the same as any other profession. You should acknowledge the bad and maybe even some of the ugly at least briefly within your personal statement.

What that tells me is that you're not just some wide-eyed kid trying to make a break through into the profession. It tells me that you know what you're getting yourself into. Keep it the bad points very brief because you do want to maintain an overall positive tone.

Please avoid a sob story.

Do not rehash your curriculum vitae.

Do keep it positive because you want to be accepted based on your merits and not out of sympathy. This is a dental school personal statement and not a GoFund me page soliciting sympathy for a cause. If the entire tone of the PS is morose, it doesn't actually convince the ADCOM that you're a future colleague... you may be a future patient instead.

If you do have something dreary to talk about, keep it brief with just two or three sentences but keep the overall tone positive please.

There is no reason to regurgitate what is on your curriculum vitae because page real estate is scarce on your PS since the recommended length is about one page single spaced. Save it for getting across important information about yourself because the CV section of your application is already dedicated to what you've done.

Perhaps it was the one night stand that the facial of #9 had with a hockey stick back in fifth grade, which left me with half of an anterior tooth. Therefore, forcing me to go through a root canal, a post and core, a crown, countless recements, and a crown redo just to fix the stigma, which discouraged me from smiling in photos. Did these events nurture the desire to give back?

Or maybe it was because I was sick and tired of being a shy and timid kid, too afraid to raise his hand in class, too afraid to ask for directions, and too afraid to even talk to customer service reps over the phone. Thus, I made a firm resolve to invite change by venturing outside of my comfort zone because I knew that I could and should do better. Was dentistry a mean to achieve a coinciding personal end because of it’s social aspect?

What initially piqued my curiosity in dentistry may have been due to a plethora of factors but what solidified my decision was not until I started working as a full time assistant for Dr. L, a general practitioner. She has not only become my employer but also my mentor, and through my time with her, I’ve had the opportunity to witness and learn about the numerous sides of dentistry. Sometimes it may be by a case to case basis and other times it may be a conceptual lecture about a certain procedure or even introducing to me a new skill.

Ever since my first step into that office, every moment has been nothing less than a learning experience. The first week of work was accompanied by a very steep learning curve due to the vast amount of procedures, instruments, and the dozens of different burs on the spinning bur carousel that literally made my head spin too. As if that wasn’t enough, each procedure might differ slightly depending on the tooth, the number of surfaces, or even the individual’s anatomy. Dentistry is certainly a very challenging field and beneath the surface there is so much more than what meets the eyes.

In fact, I would even consider dentistry as an interdisciplinary field because it incorporates various other fields such as physics, psychology, neurobiology, business management, and also art. The core in a post and core is designed in such a way that it distributes the force and also acts as a stopper. Injections can also be administered painlessly or minimally via distraction techniques, which interfere with the pain pathway in C fibers. Aesthetic cases also rely on artistic techniques, which create illusions that blend into the rest of the mouth. These are just a couple of concepts that I’ve come to grasp over the past few months but they are nothing short of intellectually captivating.

Aside from the intellectual stimulation, there is a certain appeal to the contrast between technological innovation and the innate rusticness of dentistry. Gradually over the years technology has crept into every niche of dentistry, even into something as small as a shoulder bur. The shape and size of the bur, such as the diameter and it’s angle of taper, gives it the ideal measurement for a crown prep but in order to prep the crown, work with your hands are required, which gives it a primeval feeling at the same time. Although often overlooked, there is a generous margin for individuality ranging from bur choices to instrument choices, and also techniques for approaching the same procedure.

These are all aspects of dentistry, which have contributed to my decision but the icing on the cake was because I thoroughly enjoyed my time working despite the fact that I’m tired and exhausted by the end of each day. Sometimes I just can’t help but laugh and laugh because of something our staff did or even because of something that the patient did. Its because of priceless moments like these that just make it all worth it and heck, I would even bend over backwards twice for some of my patients. For awhile now I’ve been contemplating about dentistry being a viable career option but I think I’m ready to take the big leap.

Hopefully that helps you in your journey on writing your dental school personal statement. Unfortunately, I cannot tell you how to write it specifically because if I did, it would no longer be your "personal" statement. Then again, that is the beauty in a PS because it is so open-ended that it gives you the opportunity to peer into the depths of their soul.

Show me who you are and what drives you. Show me that you've taken into consideration all of the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of dentistry.

Warmest regards,

Dr David Chen, DDS

Disclaimer: I am a practicing dentist in long island city and I'm currently not affiliated with any dental school admissions committee. This is solely my opinion and we may all agree to disagree.

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About the author: Dr David Chen, DDS

Hello, I'm Dr Chen and I'm an actively practicing dentist in Long Island City , NY. I graduated from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in 2016 but prior to going to dental school I was already working in the dental field. It's been more than a decade since I first got to know dentistry and let me tell you, time flies by quickly. Since then I've developed a fondness for writing, which is how this all got started!

Association Memberships:

American Dental Association

New York State Dental Association

Queens Count Dental Society

Medical Disclaimer :

This blog is purely meant for information purposes and should not be used as medical advice. Each situation in your mouth is unique and complex. It is not possible to give advice nor diagnose any oral conditions based on text nor virtual consultations. The best thing to do is to go in person to see your dentist for an examination and consultation so that you can receive the best care possible.

The purpose of all of this oral health information is to encourage you to see your dentist and to inform you of what you may expect during your visit. Due to the unfortunate nature of dentistry, there isn't really any true home remedies that will get rid of dental problems. Roughly 99.99% of them require in-person intervention by a healthcare professional.

Hint: That is the reason why you can't eliminate seeing dentists in your life!

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January 20th, 2023

Dental School Personal Statement with Examples – A Comprehensive Guide 2023

Worried about your personal statement ?

Need to know how to write a personal statement for dental school?

Your dental school personal statement is an effective way to show your career goals in the field of dentistry.

Here, we analyze:

• Things to include
• Ways to write
• How to explain receiving lower marks
• Professional tips

What is Dental School Personal Statement?

The dental school personal statement is a document that applicants write themselves to highlight their interest in the course and their various relevant achievements. Typically, it contains 500–750 words in two pages.

Why Do You Need a Well Structured Personal Statement?

Of all the components of your dental school application, your personal statement is by far the most important.

Wondering why?

We’ll explain.

• To persuade the readers that you are a suitable candidate for the course.
• To increase the chances of acceptance.
• To make a sincere and honest impression on the admissions committee.
• To understand your personality and abilities.
• To prove your subject-matter expertise.
• To understand your passion and career goals.

What You Should Address

The format and style of personal statements for dentistry schools vary depending on the colleges.

However, most of the personal statements provide answers to the following questions:

What made you choose dentistry?

Your strong reasons for choosing dentistry should be discussed here.

It can be developed with any unique stories, incidents, etc.

What qualities do you possess that will allow you to succeed as a dentist?

Describe your dental skills and capabilities.

Try to relate them to tales or events so that they make sense.

What do you hope to accomplish in the field of dentistry?

Talk about the things you want to pursue following the course, including your career goals.

They should be able to tell how passionate you are.

What kind of dental experience do you have?

Talk about your professional experiences and the lessons you’ve learned from them.

Being sincere and authentic while describing experiences is important.

NEED EXPERTS HELP FOR WRITING YOUR PERSONAL STATEMENT? CLICK HERE NOW!

What Length Should a Personal Statement for Dental School Be?

Depending on the institution you want to attend, the length of your dental school personal statement will vary.

You can follow the rules below if you don’t have any parameters.

No of pages –

Word count –, no. of characters –, best fonts –, font size –.

Read more here:

How Should I Explain My Poor Grades or Unfavorable Data?

You are not forced to explain to them if you choose not to!

But, a personal statement could be used as an opportunity that allows you to explain details on what you’ve learned or how you have overcome poor scores or experiences in your course.

If you plan to write it, succinctly summarize the experience and then explain what you learned and how you evolved as a result.

Avoid making any negative claims or justifications.

How to Write an Excellent Dental School Personal Statement in Six Easy Steps

The writing process is tough and challenging.

Therefore, we’ll briefly examine six steps to write a dental school personal statement that stands out.

Start by collecting information about various sections in your dental school personal statement. Get to know yourself as well as you can.

Find a way to structure your ideas once you’ve decided what to include in your personal statement. It calls for a fresh, creative approach.

Create an outline for your personal statement for dental school. It is a basic outline that allows you to see how the points should be organized.

Next, write your first draft of your personal statement for dental school. Once you’ve written it, you’ll know how to make it perfect.

Check your personal statement for any grammatical or syntactical problems.

Additionally, request the feedback of your friends on your dental school personal statement.

You will be able to create your final dental school personal statement after writing multiple drafts and editing. Submit it after careful proofreading.

How to Organize

Introduction.

The opening of your personal statement is indeed the finest place to communicate your passion and commitment to dentistry to the admissions committee, which is seeking applicants who can prove their drive to study dentistry.

Answer the following questions in your introduction.

What is your motivation to choose dentistry?

Your reasons for selecting dentistry should be explained using a storytelling narrative.

Any specific incident that has drawn you to the field?

If you have any particular events or incidents related to the field of dentistry,  explain them.

An example of an introduction;

“I had the opportunity to visit our family dentist every 6 months while growing up. Due to my excellent oral health and lack of any dental issues, these visits were part of my routine. But it changed when my two front teeth were broken in an accident. They were fixed by my dentist, and they appeared much better than before. My desire to become a dentist was clear at that point. I believe that dentistry is the ideal practice, which will help me to serve others in a similar way that my dentist served me.”

Depending on the material, you can break up your main body into many paragraphs.

You should explain here what experience, qualities, skills, etc. make you a dentist.

Do you have any remarkable academic accomplishments in dentistry?

Describe your honours, projects, and other achievements in the field of dentistry.

The conclusion, which serves as the final section of your personal statement, can help you summarise the important points you’ve presented.

• Your career objectives
• How taking this program will enable you to accomplish it

Dental Residency Personal Statement Examples

My personal encounters with dentists are what sparked my interest in dentistry. I have had crooked teeth since I was a child, but I never gave it a second thought. Once I started high school, however, things started to change. My smile and teeth caught people’s attention, and they picked on me. I initially avoided such bullies, but later I started to doubt whether or not that’s the truth. As a result, I cut off all interaction with others and became reclusive. When my mother noticed that I was concerned about my teeth, she referred me to a dentist. First off, I didn’t have any faith in my dentist. After getting braces, I really started to admire their job because now that I had good teeth, I kept getting compliments on them and I believe my dentist deserved the credit for it. I always had a feeling that my dentist had changed my life for the better. But after some reflection, I realised that making someone smile is not always easy. To do that, you must possess the necessary desire and goodness. In the dentist, I saw that. As a result, I finished my medical education and chose to pursue a dental specialization. I believe that there are many rewards for working in dental health care. One important satisfying reward is that dentists can help people to regain their confidence and smile.

My opportunity to ensure my future and pursue higher education depended on gaining the appropriate experiences and exposure to the field. I therefore found it really exciting to be working at the dental section at the Government Hospital Kottayam while I was studying. While I was there, I had the privilege to train with multiple dentists and see a broad variety of oral treatments, including fillings, fissure sealing, aligners, implants, root – end treatments, and more. I gained insight into the daily world of a dentist and realized that this career needs not just patient treatment skills but also good communication, connectedness, and coordination skills. I considered this to be a very intimate field and was intrigued with how everybody functioned in properly designed units .

In college, I had the opportunity to join a variety of clubs, including the Nature Club, the Community Club, the Book Club, and others. I also served as the Nature Club’s president. I value the work we undertake and honestly believe that attending these clubs has inspired me to become more involved in the college environment. They reflect both my leadership skills and my ability to work well in a team. For two years in college, I was the class representative. In my role as the class representative, I was able to handle disagreement and work with challenging students. Furthermore, I believe that it greatly helped in my capacity to effectively manage a variety of patients in the field of dentistry.

In the future, I want to run a private clinic in my birth country where I can help the community and people just like my dentist did. I aspire to become a socially conscious dentist with the best instruction and resources offered by your university. A grin can make someone feel confident, and doing everything in your power to make them smile is priceless.

Example 2 – Personal Statement for Pediatric Dentistry

The habits we form while young not only stick with us for the rest of our lives, but they can also have a long-term effect on our health. I have learned this from my experience. My parents continue to tell me how adamant I was about brushing my teeth when I was a child. I had terrible tooth stains, cavities, and other dental issues even at a young age. The state of my teeth startled my dentist. Such dental issues at such an early age were something he never anticipated. I have undergone therapies, yet my dental health issues persisted. My early habits, I suppose, are what led to this. They had an impact on me in one way or another, and it took me a long time to change my course. Years of experience made me realize that anything I needed to do should have been done when I was a child. Even if children aren’t concerned, teaching them proper dental hygiene habits is important for their development. I didn’t want my kids or other children to go through what I did. But it took some time for me to have that awareness. At that point, I began to consider starting my career by pursuing paediatric dentistry.

When I was volunteering at a dental facility close to my home, I discovered that many adults who came in had no proper access to dental health which many of us take for granted. What we see today is a result of their lack of oral hygiene knowledge and practices. Thus, I made the decision to make sure that young children in my community had access to resources and were aware of appropriate dental hygiene practices. I should help pave the way in dental care if I want to create a healthy future for the children. My time spent in the paediatric clinic at the dental school was pleasurable. Each dental procedure is done with utmost care since children are growing and developing. I had the opportunity to observe and participate in a number of dental treatments, including cleanings and root canals. After watching them, I understood that the profession doesn’t just concentrate on the cure. But, dentists also work with patients as well as family and provide support for families. I am excited to engage in this kind of work in the future as a paediatric dentist.

A paediatric dentist should possess not just effective medical abilities and knowledge but also great leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. Given that dentistry involves working with children, communication is crucial. As a paediatric dentist, your success depends on your ability to interact and communicate with children. I had the opportunity to interact with children while volunteering at the dental clinic. One day, a young kid of seven visited the clinic complaining of severe dental ache. The tooth needed to be pulled because of a cavity, the dentist said. The dentist gave me the opportunity to explain these facts to the boy and persuade him to undergo treatment. Despite my anxiety and worry, I saw it as a challenge. Amal was his name, and he was terrified of the process and the dentist. I took a seat next to him and offered a mildly amusing explanation. He asked me what to do when he finally stopped crying. He thus decided to go forward with it and requested for my support throughout. I was glad to do that. Thus, I came to the realisation that a person in this field needs to have a pleasant personality and effective communication skills. I will be able to attain a more in-depth knowledge of the subject and increase my flexibility for functioning within small places due to the coursework and experiences I receive during the course.

After the course, I will open my own dental clinic where I can interact with children to not only cure their dental problems but also educate them on developing good habits. In India, eight out of ten children have various kinds of oral conditions, and as part of my initiative, I desire to do everything I can to improve the children’ dental health over time.

How to Use These Samples?

You’ve now finished reading the sample personal statements for dental school.

How should you apply these examples in your writing, though?

These samples show the way of writing.

So in a way, it serves as a reminder for you.

• Abide by the rules ( if specified)
• Maintain the word limit
• In your writing, be optimistic.
• Must be free of grammar mistakes.
• Create separate paragraphs.

How to Avoid Mistakes

• Spend time and effort planning your personal statement for dental school.
• Describe how you learned the abilities you have.
• Read continuously. You can detect flaws in your statement by reading it.
• Remember to proofread.
• Detail-oriented writing is necessary.

Tips From the Pros

To help you in drafting a powerful personal statement for dental residency, the most experienced writers have provided the following tips.

Let’s look at them!

Avoid using jargon, clichés, or complex phrases that you will not normally use in conversations.

Always keep in mind that dental institutions need to get to understand the real you.

Think creatively and uniquely

Describe how you would enhance the field and patient care, as this will set you apart from other competitors.

Share a narrative

In order to avoid plagiarism, make absolutely sure that your essay is a unique story. Use a narrative style when writing.

Review the document

Request feedback by asking a friend or expert to read your writing.

Ask them to evaluate the essay and provide comments on how to improve it.

Take your time

Allow yourself enough time to prepare your thoughts, write effectively, and proofread.

The more time you take, the more powerful your personal statement will be.

Let’s conclude!

You can create a strong and confident statement that understands the needs of the admissions committee by using the instructions given above. Thus, your chances of getting an interview will increase!

We sincerely hope that our description of the dental school personal statement was helpful to you .

Adding comments and sharing our blog with your friends are both appreciated if you find it informative.

About Mrs Jizah M

Mrs Jizah M has always enjoyed writing down her thoughts since school days. What just started as a hobby slowly transformed into a passion. Her writing skills were first acknowledged by few of her professors when she wrote content for the college website; this was a turing. Slowly she started getting freelance works and later on, a series of events led her to specialize in academic and higher education related documentations. In additional to personal statements, she along with her team writes LORs, SOPs, college application essays, admission essays and all similar types of documents.

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Sample Dental Personal Statement — AADSAS

Got accepted to penn, ucsf, nyu, nova, umich, maryland, uf.

A terrified girl with a swollen upper lip trudges into the endodontic clinic. She needs an emergency retreat of her root canal due to a poor previous obturation. As the needle pierces her gums, childhood memories of getting root canals without anesthesia flood her body with even greater pain and fear. Her student dentist wipes away her tears and holds her hand tighter. “The worst part is over,” remarks the soothing voice of the resident as she puts away the syringe. She is amazed by how fast the pain goes away. This girl was me three years ago, and it was this moment that I first envisioned dentistry as my career. [MZ1]  

I was born and raised Uyghur, a Turkic ethnic minority in Central Asia. Growing up in a mixture of Turkish, Middle-Eastern, and Asian cultures helped me appreciate cultural diversity and collaborative environments later in life. Shortly after my high school graduation, I made the biggest decision of my life: to pursue an undergraduate degree in the United States, where I would be able to blossom in a free academic environment. I packed my ambitious heart and dreams into a suitcase and headed for the U.S.

Being away from home for the first time, I was thrilled to explore the world on my own. Determined to overcome the language barrier, I took every possible opportunity to practice my English skills while attending a language institute. Within six months, I passed the placement test and started taking college-level courses. Small victories like this strengthened my determination, and prepared me to overcome future obstacles that I faced while pursuing undergraduate studies and finding my career path.

[MZ2]  

Dealing with frequent illnesses as a child led me to spend a lot of time in the care of others. Nurses, doctors, and dentists became my heroes, and I dreamed of being like them one day. In order to gain more experience in the healthcare field while pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, I became a Certified Nursing Assistant and began working in an assisted-living facility caring for residents with Alzheimer’s disease. The bonds I built with these kind people and their families helped me realize how much I love caring for others and making positive impacts on their lives. [MZ3]  

Around the same time, I became a patient at the University of Florida College of Dentistry team clinics. A long history of poor dental care led me to undergo an extensive amount of dental work at the clinic. This is where I first met Magda, my student dentist from the root canal story. As soon as I expressed my interest in the healthcare field, Magda enthusiastically began explaining dental procedures to me, teaching me to recognize dental instruments and even how to interpret x-rays. Her proficient skills, professionalism, and concerns for patients truly inspired me to further explore dentistry as my prospective profession.

I subsequently started shadowing at the team clinic, which enabled me to gain a closer look at dentistry. From various types of periodontal therapies, restorations, and extractions – every procedure I assisted with, pumped my body full of adrenaline. I fell in love with how much creativity is utilized in dentistry and relished every bit of patient interaction.

The knowledge from the team clinic further inspired me to pursue a community-based dental experience. I began to shadow Dr. XXXX, a general dentist at ABC Dental Clinic. ABC is a community for people with developmental disabilities. Volunteering at the clinic has been the most eye-opening and rewarding experience I have had in my limited exposure to dentistry. Most of the patients are not verbally responsive and are very challenging to work with. Despite these obstacles, Dr. Garvey’s patience and empathy makes everything possible. His unwavering commitment to serve the underserved population is inspiring me to become a dentist like him. From there, I started working at the UFCD Pediatric Dental Clinic as a dental assistant. [MZ4]  

Luckily, I never had to return to the endodontic clinic again as a patient, but my unflinching determination in pursuing a dental career has only grown stronger since. Utilizing both creativity and discipline in caring for patients, serving the underserved, and relieving pain is what I have found I love doing the most. If that can become a lifelong career, then I am confident that dentistry is, absolutely, my future vocation. Even better, I will be the first Uyghur dentist in the U.S., now wouldn’t that be something? [MZ5]  

Got accepted to Midwestern University (IL) (Re-applicant with a 2.9 GPA and 19 DAT; Got 5 interviews)

My grandfather made me fall in love with the quote: “Use your smile to change the world, don’t let the world change your smile.” I grew up without my parents, and faced adversity and bullying throughout my childhood. It took a toll on my confidence, made me shy, and discouraged me from smiling. Whenever I feel discouraged, my grandfather’s words always comfort me and push me toward my goals. Last year, I found it incredibly painful to deal with his passing after he battled nasal cavity cancer for eight years. He persevered through harsh medical treatments and never stopped smiling in front of me. Even after his dentures stopped fitting him, he would still smile. He gradually lost his appetite and without dentures, he became nutrient deficient since he could not consume the range of food that he needed. This was when I learned about the importance of dentures and their impact on a person’s health.  Watching how strong he was, I yearned to make him a perfect set of dentures as a special gift one day. My ambition was to watch my grandfather enjoy a wide variety of food and to see his old smile again. Since then, I began to see the power behind my grandfather’s smile. His smile speaks for the positivity, courage, and strength that taught me to embrace obstacles and challenges because they will help me thrive as an independent and a mature adult. Although I lost my grandfather, the pain of losing him strengthened my character and pushed me to pursue my dream to become a successful dentist.  [MZ6]  

During my last quarter at UC San Diego, my grandfather’s condition worsened. I constantly worried about him, as he was the only close family I had. There were times when I struggled to balance family responsibilities with academics, and I had felt mentally and physically exhausted every day. Every time I went to see him in the hospital, he told me not to worry about him and to focus on my academics. My anxiety took a toll on my grades and I realized that it helped neither my dream nor his health. Gradually, I learned to manage my time and my stress, and improved my grades later on through more coursework in post-baccalaureate program . Luckily, my aunt is capable of taking care of my grandmother now, so I can further my studies and work as a dental assistant during my free time. [MZ7]  

As a dental assistant, I channeled my desire of taking care of my grandfather into taking care of patients. [MZ8]  During the preparation for an implant case, I noticed a patient was clenching her fists anxiously. I offered her with a cup of water and started a conversation to ease her worries. Later, she calmed down and was ready for the procedure. She was cooperative when I took a periapical x-ray on the difficult position of tooth #15.  Fortunately, the picture turned out clear and the dentist was able to see the depth of the post and the distance between her sinus. When I greeted the patient during her next visit for abutment, she said “thank you” and gave me the most heartwarming hug that I could ever ask for. Her expression of gratitude kindled my desire to serve more patients as an aspiring dentist. [MZ9]  

Knowing that my grandfather lacked oral health education and had limited dental care during his lifetime, I felt a sense of duty to help those who lack access to dental care [MZ10]  . I helped serve the underprivileged by volunteering at the California Dental Association Free Clinic. In particular, I remember a forty-year old Hispanic immigrant named Julio, who was also a low-income immigrant and a father of four. Majority of his teeth was decayed and in need of urgent restoration. After talking to him, I learned that his condition was the result of a lack of access to quality dental care. Due to financial constraints, he could not afford to visit a dentist for a long time. He was grateful that the Free Clinic had given him this opportunity to restore his teeth. Talking to Julio was eye opening, as it inspired me to reach out to the disadvantaged population and educate them about oral health. One day, I wish to provide equitable access to dental care to all. [MZ11]  

After my grandfather’s death, I wrote a letter to him that ended with this passage: “Thank you, Grandpa, for helping me find my passion and for making me realize the power that genuine smiles can bring. Although you are no longer with us, your wisdom continues to motivate me to spread beautiful smiles and to improve the lives of others. As a tribute to you, I am ready to dedicate myself to the career of dentistry.” [MZ12]  

Got accepted to Penn, UCSF, NYU, Pitt, and Rutgers

‘ Shri Ramajeyam!’ chanted the village magician back in Bangladesh, as he tried to heal my grandmother’s toothache for 40 Taka (equivalent to $0.50 in the US). The cheap hocus pocus failed and ultimately, an oral screening at a local hospital diagnosed an oral lesion in her mouth. However, it remained untreated because of my family’s limited finances. [MZ13]  

These financial challenges that have continually haunted my family have helped ingrain the value of patience within the very essence of my personality. Our patience in reapplying for the Diversity Visa Lottery over and over finally paid off the 9 th time, when we won. We thought our financial distress would improve, so we happily left for America. But, surprises ensued. Extreme poverty, accompanied by a sudden cut in Medicaid forced me to curtail my visits to the orthodontist, but I continued to wait, as I had always been, for a change in fortune. [MZ14]  

That change came when my orthodontist halved my fee after sympathizing with my situation. This drew me to a dentist’s prerogative to demonstrate compassion. The importance of a good patient-doctor relationship stood out even more when I shadowed Dr. Pinto, an oral surgeon. During his interaction with a medically compromised patient, who was suffering from a prior iatrogenic procedure, I saw how dentists not just treat the local symptoms of pain, but also address it in a systemic way. This interactive process reminded me of my time leading mentoring program as an International Youth Scholar, in which I mentored a Somali refugee named Abdi. Being psychologically vulnerable as a result of having faced a civil war, initially, he appeared reserved. With my consisted efforts, I built rapport with him as he slowly opened up about his struggle in the refugee camp, his love for soccer, and his dream to study in the U.S. With my encouragement, he applied and received a scholarship at Syracuse University. I will never forget his smile when he gave me the news.  It reaffirmed the holistic nature of a dentist’s influence on an individual’s systemic as well as psychological health.  [MZ15]  

In addition to treating individuals, I want to expand the influence of dental awareness on a community-wide scale and I began this by targeting my local Philadelphia community. I co-founded the Community Dental Disease Prevention Society aiming to reduce the prevalence of dental diseases. We conducted workshops at low-income schools in the city. Despite the initial lack of interest among students, gradually the number of workshop participants grew as they could relate the workshops to their real life experiences. Here Tagita, a first grader shared her story of waiting for a dental appointment due to her family’s financial incapacity, reiterating the inaccessibility of the dental care provision. Meanwhile, high school students expressed concerns about the increasing prevalence of dental malpractice. This made me extend our goals to educate dental providers of iatrogenic dentistry. Additionally, we also set about spreading scientifically based awareness in dispelling damaging propagandas such as those spread by the Fluoride Action Network about the harmful effects of water fluoridation. [MZ16]  

Aside from my involvement with the community, I found personal gratification and further enhancement of my endurance while I was taking a sculpture course.  After the caffeinated nights and clay-stained hands at the studio, looking at my first project – a clay bust of Abraham Lincoln, an unprecedented sense of pride flooded through me. Right then, I knew that in order to be fulfilled I would need manual involvement in my future profession. [MZ17]  

The unique opportunity offered by dentistry to integrate my manual dexterity with my love for science further drew me in. My passion for science grew in a crowded lab-hood at my organic synthesis lab, where I endured repeated tedious phases of optimization of the reaction conditions. Ultimately, I experienced a deep sense of satisfaction as I produced newer molecules in high yield culminating in a co-authorship of a paper in Organic Letters. [MZ18]  

Perseverance gained throughout my life and from my involvement in science, arts and community activism makes dentistry a perfect match for me. Be it campaigning against iatrogenic dentistry via CDDPS, or making someone like Abdi smile confidently, dentistry has allowed me to consolidate my ideals. As I continue to advocate for increased accessibility to dental care for financially disadvantaged patients, I understand that progress will be slow; for now, I vow to stay focused, stay patient. [MZ19]  

  [MZ1] Terrific hook. The story is engaging and vivid. She also amazingly ends the paragraph with her interest in dentistry. Perfect first paragraph.

  [MZ2] Author provides sufficient background and talks about her personal journey to depict her personalities. She shows us a glimpse into her world and provides a subtle glimpse at her personalities

  [MZ3] Explains what she has done during college. It falls under extra-curricular/leadership bucket. But definitely shows her career interest progression. This paragraph does not employ any vivid story, but at this point it’s not needed anymore because she already earned your trust and you’re reading this.

  [MZ4] The last three paragraph provides the picture of how the author pursued her interest further. It’s a logical continuation of her journey.

  [MZ5] Great concluding sentence! Super-catchy. Creates an unique identity for the author.

  [MZ6] Absolutely great introduction. Author takes you into her world and tells you about her personal life. She provides a nice story to back up why she wants to be a dentist. Great introduction, although a bit too long.

The essay revolves around her grandfather and she continually ties back to this theme.

  [MZ7] She explains her situation but reassures the reader that she will be able to handle the tough workload at dental school.

  [MZ8] Great topic sentence brings back the theme of her grandfather.

  [MZ9] Through telling us a story she provides a glimpse into her personality. From this story, we can make assumptions about what kind of dentist she will become – a compassionate, kind hearted one.

  [MZ10] Again, tying back to the theme

  [MZ11] This is called future pacing. She’s basically telling you her dream as a dentist.

  [MZ12] Slightly unconventional ending, but worked really well for her.

  [MZ13] Unique beginning, proven to be quite effective for the author. The story also hooks you right away. You feel a certain level of sympathy for the author’s family.

  [MZ14] Author is using life story to focus our attention on his personality. It’s very subtle and crafty.

  [MZ15] This paragraph is AMAZING because it talks not only about the things that author admires in his dentist, but he also demonstrate how he implemented those qualities into his extra-curricular activities. This is an advance concept and hard to implement, but if you can do it successfully, you have a great shot at getting into many dental schools (just like the author)

  [MZ16] Tells us a STORY about his community service involvement.

  [MZ17] Manual dexterity can be part of your personal statement but add it such that your essay does not lose flow. This is a strong example of how to talk about your manual dexterity.

  [MZ18] Most people don’t have publication as an undergraduate; if you do, talk about it! It will 20X your chances at getting into a dental school. You should not shy away from talking about your accomplishments.

  [MZ19] Great ending. Author used a catch phrase at the end. Quite cliché, but it is executed properly and makes you remember the author.

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• Win Any Committee with These Dental School Personal Statement Examples
• This Is How to Write a Good Dental School Personal Statement

What to include in your personal statement for dental school

What makes a good personal statement for dental school, how long is dental school personal statement, what to write for dental school personal statement, who are you, why did you choose us, any other creative question, dental school personal statement examples accepted by committees, how i became a purposeful dentistry applicant – one of the typical stories establish contact with the admissions, finding my place as a helper to society – another example of stories written with a minimum of characters, final words.

If you dream of serving your community as a dentist, you’ll need to enroll into a respective higher education program and provide certain documents to the committee. One of them is your dental school personal statement, which helps grab the interest of the admissions committee.

A personal statement is an important addition to a resume. It is a short autobiography where you tell about your accomplishments and skills personally. Writing a nice dental school personal statement in time might be difficult. But not only the content of your personal statement but also admissions essay format is important. So, let us find out how to write such personal statements and stories and how to make them perfect!

When you get a diploma and start looking for a job, you’ll need to present yourself to a potential employer who will read your dental school personal statement first and only after that, invite you to a job interview. Therefore the key point is selling yourself, showcasing strong traits of your personality and explaining why you are worthy of consideration. Unrelated information should be excluded and the overall text must not be too wordy.

There are more than one personal statement tip that help you stay noticed and some which can lessen the chance to get accepted. The reader has to find all the important details about your life in your other application documents. Therefore, you have to link each skill, ability, and experience to the main idea of your paper. In short:

• Clear self-presentation points
• Simple structure
• Less quotes and clichés
• Avoid exaggeration and open bragging

Let's find out the length of a personal statement . The top recommendation is to be brief yet concise for this kind of program. Standard requirements might vary from 200 to 500 words, or 2 pages (or an equivalent number of letters / characters without spaces), but it does not mean you’re obliged to take all this volume within the given time. The primary goal is to present yourself properly, so ‘the bigger the better’ does not work in this case.

Some medical colleges want to see your ability to tell about yourself. The assignment may sound like this: “Describe where you see yourself in ten years and how you will get there.” Be brief, just pick important qualities and link them to the main topic – your future plans.

Write about your mission and explain how you have made a choice concerning your career and why you apply to this particular higher educational establishment. Share your goals, show that you’re a determined person with a commitment to this dental school. Colleges like committed students with a passion for studying.

Some institutions want a little more than your introduction. They’ll ask creative questions to see how you can handle unordinary assignments. You should remember to stay within the limits of what is relevant to the course you are applying for and your future profession. Try to impress your reader while keeping the text concise.

My interest in the dentistry field has appeared not very long ago. After one of my relatives has got serious problems with teeth, I started reading specialized literature on the subject and eventually grasped the basics of common knowledge about this area of healthcare.

Having graduated from high school with a diploma with honors, I have obtained some related skills in basic chemistry, first aid services, microbiology and anatomy (the list is attached). I have some volunteering experience in the paramedical field and also have attended a couple of dentistry related trainings in my hometown.

My current goal is to become a leading dentist and serve the community of our town which has a serious lack of available specialists at the time. Applying to this college is the crucial first step for me in that program.

I have never thought about choosing my career path anywhere close to the healthcare field, but an occasion two years ago has changed my mind. A minor head trauma during a volleyball match has almost left me without two teeth, I felt they were literally hanging on skin strips. But the quick reaction of our local dentist helped to fix them perfectly.

Since then, I have been spending a lot of time for specialized literature on medicine, anatomy, and dentistry because I saw it as a valuable career option to serve the community in this very challenging sphere. Despite the rapid progress in technology and chemistry people’s teeth come across more and more problems due to water and air pollution, food and drink quality, the stress of modern life, etc.

My goal is to make a contribution to solving these problems and that is why I am applying to this dentistry school.

If you are looking for statements in other fields, start browsing our library. You will find such examples as a nursing personal statement , pharmacist personal statement , law school personal statements , and much more.

The way you write your personal statement conclusion also matters. It is required for any student wishing to be noticed and enrolled in the higher educational establishment of their dreams. Try to put yourself in the shoes of an admission committee member. Find how to catch their attention or make them smile with your paper.

Some students think that the residency personal statement (RPS) is the same as the graduate essay, but it’s not quite right. Personal statement residency is one of the great ways to share your character and abilities and plans for your career as a physician. One of its goals is for applicants to add...

Writing essays can be difficult for some students. Creating an impressive pharmacy personal statement is a challenge. It’s hard for many people to do the following:Come up with an interesting subject;Organize important information;Make reasonable personal statement conclusions;Grab readers’ interest...

If you want to become a law school student, you don’t have any chance to explain to the committee why you’re a perfect fit, except for your application. Look for legal examples to get the academic consulting necessary to submit a successful law school personal statement and succeed at the interview....

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College of Dentistry

How to craft a winning personal statement for dental school application.

Have you put some thought into how you will write your personal statement for application? How will you stand out among the hundreds of other applicants?

With over 11,000 potential candidates applying annually to US dental schools, competition has never been stronger. Above average DAT scores and GPAs aren’t good enough anymore to truly stand out. 

That's why Helen Yang, DMD, a Harvard Dental School graduate and current endodontics resident at UIC, has written a  new book to help applicants become more successful.

In her new book, Your Essential Guide to Dental School Admissions: 30 Successful Application Essays and Collective Wisdom from Young Dentists , Dr. Yang and collaborators offer a holistic strategy for a winning dental school application. The second half of the book focuses on the personal statement and consists of 30 essays written by dental students across the country.

With a background serving on Harvard Dental School’s admissions committee and working in admissions counseling, Yang offers an invaluable and highly beneficial perspective.

“I looked at what kind of books were already out there. They tended to be written by a single person, so just featuring one person’s experience. Also, they focused a lot on the statistics of getting into dental school, Yang explained, as her inspiration for writing this book.

About half of the book is devoted to crafting a compelling personal statement, because “the personal statement of all the things in the application plays such a big role in making the applicant seem like a real human being.”

“I wanted it to have a strong emphasis on the human aspect of getting into dental school. How can I present myself as a more interesting applicant, and what are the admissions officers looking for?

"The book really focuses on how to make yourself seem more interesting, more human and more like a valuable member of the community. I think that’s what really makes people stand out.”

Four key components of getting into dental school.

Each of the four chapters covers a different key aspect of getting accepted into dental school.  These aspects of the admissions process are explored in detail in Yang’s practical and inspiring guide for dental school admissions.

1. Assemble an Outstanding Application. Creating an application package that is so compelling that it can’t possibly be ignored. This means going beyond application prerequisites  such as competitive GPA, required coursework, and dentist shadowing .

2. write a winning personal statement. retaining individuality and standing out from the deluge of applications with the personal statement. structuring it for success and individuality., 3. ace the interviews. successfully preparing for and dominating the dental school interview..

RELATED:  How to Prepare for the Dental School Interview

4. Map Your Road to Dental School. Deciding on worthwhile extracurriculars and hobbies. Making a seamless and successful transition to dental school.

RELATED:  Roadmap to Dental School  

Succeeding with the Personal Statement

The personal statement is crucial in terms of presenting your individuality as part of the dental school application. It helps admissions representatives understand who you are, your unique experiences and why you chose to become a dentist. Despite it's importance, there is often great uncertainty regarding how it should be structured, what it should focus on, and how to make the best use of it to stand out.  

From ADEA Go Dental:  What is the personal statement for?

Your personal statement is a one-page essay (not to exceed 4,500 characters, including spaces, carriages, numbers, letters, etc.) that gives dental schools a clear picture of who you are and, most importantly, why you want to pursue a career in dentistry.

Read more @ ADEA Go Dental

Given how important the personal statement is to a successful application, Yang dedicated the entire second half of her book to it. In this section, 30 successful traditional and non-traditional dental students from diverse backgrounds share the personal statements they used to gain admission into a top school of choice.

These students crafted personal statements that genuinely impressed admissions committees and got them into dental school – the exception, not the norm.

 “We got over 50 submissions [for personal statements]. They were all very good. I worked with a team of eight other young dentists to distribute them, had them blinded, and had each essay critiqued and ranked based on quality of writing, how substantial the essays were and how effective they were.”

This process ultimately resulted in 30 top selections. Yang never thought she would get the submissions needed to fulfill the project, but the interest of young dentists to share their statements and help others was clear.

The personal statements showcase helpful examples of what works, and more importantly, expert feedback on why they worked. They offer practical guidance on how to present a story and background to gain an edge in one of the most competitive admissions processes out there.

“When I talk to pre-dental students, most people don’t think of themselves as unique or interesting or impressive. They are like ‘my grades are average, my stats are average. How on earth do I stand out?”

It’s a very common problem, but Yang recognizes that every applicant has something genuinely worthwhile to share, “The first thing I do when I meet with any pre-dental student is I get them to talk about themselves. From that, you can tell that everyone has a unique story that no one else has.

So even though they may not feel special because they lived with that their whole life, you can say ‘Look, no one else has your story. If you can wisely tell that story, that would make you seem different and more outstanding than other applicants.’”

Dr. Yang holds little back in this thorough book. She provides an unadulterated and authentic account of what it takes to thrive in the admissions process, present a compelling story and individuality, and plan for the long-term commitment that a career in the field demands.

Dr. Yang exudes a genuine passion for helping pre-dental students accomplish their dreams. Her book is an invaluable resource that has culminated from her years of experience in dental admissions and her desire to offer a more holistic strategy than the formulaic types of admission tips that are often seen.

Available on Amazon Now

The book has received highly positive reviews since its recent release in 2018.

Your Essential Guide to Dental School Admissions is available in softcover for $14.99 and Kindle for $9.99 on Amazon .

Get ready for dental school, get the information you need to begin your journey into an outstanding career in dentistry today.

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Your Trusted Council for Admissions Success

Accreditation and test prep resources to how you got into own dream teaching

Dental School Personal Statement: The Ultimate Guide (Example Included)

Learn step-by-step how to write a unique dental school personal account, including a full length instance.

your dentist language personal statement can mean the difference between and acceptance and a rejection

Part 1: Introduction

Partial 2: how up write a dental go personal statement, part 3: common tooth school personelle statement errors to avoid, part 4: full length dental language personal statement examples.

If you’re applying to dental school and opening to contemplate your dental school personalities statement, you chances fall into one of two categories:

Them aced the DAT, have with awarded GPA, and after all of the work you put in for those scores you’re thinking, “I have not energy left… Does the mitarbeitende statement even matter?”

Your DAT and/or GPA are virtuous either actual, and you’re tension about what you can improve your overall application due writing an absolutely surprising personal statement.

Whatever position you finding yourself is, this guide will address your concerns. We’ll explain which importance of the dental school personal statement and reasons it can make or break equal the finest application. We’ll also provide detailed, step-by-step directions on how for write an outstanding special statement, along with multiple full-length dental school personality statement examples so you can see for yourself how it’s done. 

How more works your dental school personal statement matt?

If you’ve got adenine good sheet up the DAT and a great GPA, this question has possible crossed your mind. It is true that admissions committees canned and do using these scores for quicker sift through to in of applications they receive each year. That said, these scores belong not on their own sufficient to get you accepted to the dental school concerning your dreams. Learn step-by-step how to write a unique dental school personal opinion, including a full length example

There are plenty of stories regarding applicants what had a strong GPA and on unbelievable DAT score but were not accepted to their top choice dental school (or any dental school at all). Often, which personal opinion are the distinguishing line that can ruin one great claim button significantly improvements an average application. Note how this medical contestant nails her personal statement to revealing a lot concerning herself without overtly proverb 'I am this and I am that.' And she tells ampere good story.

The good news is this there are preventable strategies for writing an excellence dental school personalities statement—more on those momentarily.

(Suggested reading: How Firm Is It to Retrieve Into Dental School? )

What is the goal of a dental school personal statement?

With both your GPA and your DAY score, the goal is fairly obvious—the higher the better. Is may be tempts to accepted that the applicant by a 22 DAT and 3.8 GPA will be accepted over the applicants with a 20 DAT and 3.6 GPA, however the admissions procedure is not nearly here cut and t, and e is often the personal statement such can separate these two candidates in the minds are einer admissions committee. Sample Dental Personal Statement -- AADSAS | Dentist Educate Coach

So, what is the goal of a personal order? The answer is remarkably simple: the goal of the personal statement is to get who admissions community interested in you as one person, and for make them want into meet you. 

The entire goal of your application is to land an interview at as many dental schools as optional (or at worst the will dream school), and the personal declaration is your opportunity to demonstrate thy extraordinary and interesting characteristics. Your personal statement can a one-page essay (not to exceed 4,500 characters, inclusive areas, carriages, numbers, letters, etc.) which gives dental schools ...

Think of your application more building an house. 

Respective GPA and DAT score are like the blueprints. Your are mathematically based and must meet specials structural and design specifications in order to sponsor the eventual home. Time there is certainly variation in blueprints between different homes, there are specify benchmarks and requirements that must be met for blueprints to meet city building codes and be approved. 

Your personal make, however, is a much more creative process like toward the interior and exterior design of the home. What color of paint will you selecting? Something type of windows do you want? Will thee pick a specific theme for the furniture, drapes, and paintings? After choose of these creative make have been made, two homes with identical buildings could have a drastically different appearance.  Learn the keys line to include stylish personal statements for dental school and what makes the effective, including examples for different types of dentistry.

While the creative and subjective aspects concerning writing an excellent personal statement may feel surprising to the show analytical students who make up an large portion of dental school competitors, the good news is that there are very clear strategies that can help guide you in this creative process.

Part 2: Instructions to write a dental instruct personal statement

According to the ADEA , “ Your personal statement is a one-page essay (not at excess 4,500 display, including spaces, carriages, digits, letters, etc.) that gives dental schools an clear picture on who you are and, most importantly, why you want to pursue adenine jobs in dentistry .”

That doesn’t quite convey the real goal of your statement, which are to win this acceptance committee that you, as a person, are interesting and unique, also to compel them to want to meet they off the page. 

Just as understanding of goal the your personally statement is entscheidend, starting the brainstorming process from a general roadmap bucket help simplify an elsewhere overwhelming process. There are many factors that can manufacture a good personal statement great. In this 3-part article series, we go over the ten steps necessary to analyze ampere personal statement.

Fortunately, there is a simple and well-tested format is has been followed by many successful dental go applicants. 

Outlining your tooth school personal statement

We’re fans of knowing exactly where you’re going before you even begin writing. Here’s which general formatize that we recommend through available your mitarbeiter statement: Got adopted in Pens, UCSF, NYU, Nova, UMich, Maryland, UF AN scared girl with a enlarged upper lip trudges into the endodontic clinic. She needs an emergency retreat of her root canal outstanding to a poor previous obturation. As the needle pierces yours gingiva, childhood memories away obtaining root canals none anesthesia flood her body … … Continue reading →

Prologue : Engage the reader immediate with an interesting introductory paragraph

Body : Illustrate your unique tooth journey int 3–5 paragraphs

Conclusion : Reinforce your passion for dentistry and tie back to the introduction

But how to you fill these to paragraphs with information that’s engaging and, most importantly, conveys what’s unique about you? What should you include? Next, we’ll go over five steps that will help yourself draw out the best subjects for your dental school personal statement. Dentist Schools Personal Declare: The Ultimate Guide (Example Included) — Shemmassian Academic Consulting

Steps 1: Brainstorming

Open by brainstorming possible subjects or areas for your personal statement. Our advice is to come go with remote more than you’ll effectively end up writing about—even as many while 30.  Personalstand report

We see that you’re thinker: Reasons would I brainstorm 20+ ideas and experiences when only 3–5 wishes act make it into my personal statement?

The rejoin: Often adenine bad personal statement comes about because an applicant got selects the wrong item. Sometimes applicants choose clichéd material, or supply that isn’t personally meaningful. Then they feel locked into the essay they’ve begun. Aber, by brainstorming dynamic, and working with someone theirs opinion you trust on subject matter, you can position yourself to enter the writing phase confident that you’ve got a subject you can write about volubly and passionately.

To receive there, we like an exercise called “ one Rule of 5s ” that provides a systemically approach to guide the brainstorming treat.

While we’re dial this the Rule of 5s, it could just as easily be which Guideline of 5s—the number five is straightforward one good purpose to help you extend. Still, don’t get too caught upwards on it. If they have three or choose examples in one category and seven in additional, that is fine. 

Here’s the Rule to 5s: Brainstorm five good examples in each of an five categories registered below:

Five serious life experiences

Five unique and interesting accomplishments

Quintuplet unique and interesting hobbies or interests

Five failures and five lessons you learned from them

Five challenges or setbacks you have faced and held to surmount

Step 2: Will personal journey to dentistry

Next completing the Rule of 5s brainstorming activity, your go step be until outline my personal journey to dentistry in a way that clearly answers the question off why you want to be a dentist. This outline should be concise and can even be in bulletpoint form. That said, be comprehensive and tried to think of each key experience, interaction, individual, your, conversation, alternatively “aha!” moment that influenced you to ultimately choose a career in dentistry. 

When your outline is finished, read it and identify 3–5 of which of interests and unique aspects of your journey. If you are having difficulty contraction a down, considering reviewing which other areas of the ADEA AADSAS application (Dental Experience, Employment, Extracurricular Activities, Researching, Volunteer) and see if some of your experiences can be included in areas other than to personal statement.   Dental School Personelle Statement [Sample Essay] | Presumed

Next 3: Choose a memorable opened

Permissions committees will be reading thousands of statements one application cycle, and multiple applicants will have similar stories about why they want to sich dentists. Conceivably they had a go experience in dentistry early in. Perchance they like science and want for help people. Those aren’t unique attributes on dental school applicants. You’re going to do to begin include something that’s more particular, interesting, also specials up you. 

Let’s take at two different openings to see how they work the conundrum.

Here’s June’s first attempt on an opening paragraph:

Growing increase in a middle-class community I had the opportune to get to my family dentist every six months. For most of my childhood, these visits were fairly routine as I had good oral hygiene and no major dental question. Nevertheless, when I was 16 years old, I chipped my two front teeth in an accident. My dentist was skilled to repair them and they looks even enhance than before the accident. At that matter, I knew I wanted to be a dentist. EGO attended college and selected biology as my major the ME have always enjoyed the sciences. I opinion dentistry as the perfect combination of art and scholarship that will allow me to help other men the way my dentist helped m.  

Where aspect a herself is June emphasizing here? It’s hard to sage. She’s beginnen with a story of wanting to want a professional, but the writing is noncommittal and collective. It doesn’t gift us object rememberable about her to hold onto, and this paragraph is in don way uniquely to her experience or dental journey. What Makes a Great Personal Statement? (Part 1 of 3) | DAT Bootcamp

Let’s take one look at Marissa’s opened:

For I looked down, ME couldn’t believe which EGO saw. One of my core scissors held been knocked completely out on its socket and sat are adenine small but noticeable circle of blutes nearness to free-throw line on the basketball judge. Just seconds before, I held accepted an elbow to one face under the starts of the fourth quarter of our state championship high school playing game. As any high school senior would do, I picked increase the toothy, put it includes a cup and handed it to mysterious coach. I finished the game with only one central incisor. My parents even have a picture of me on their fridge, hoisting the state championship tropphy with an awkward, closed-mouth smile as I tried to hide the missing tooth. Little did I know that six months later, after a failed attempt to secure one to and the eventual decision to get an implant, the determination additionally required I had previously put into basketball want be transferred into my passion of becoming a dentist.

What works here? It’s simple. Marissa story a historical. She gives us images, symbols, and ampere scene. Then wife promptly ties that scene into her long-term narrative: becoming an dentist .

On opening equal an anecdote and setting the scene the way adenine cinema director might, you draw us into your story and stand out from the pack.

As you think learn what anecdote him might use to open choose personal statement, remember that it does not have to be directly related to dentistry. Ultimately, however, you will want to tie one anecdote into your dental journey.

Pace 4: Connect owner opening with your personal journey to dentistry

With your memorable opening created (step 3) and your unique journey at dentistry outlined (step 2), you are most of the way to getting your personal statement.  

The key to an excellent personalities statement shall locate a creative yet smooth way to connect your personal experiment with your professional journey into dentistry, equipped a clear and concise answer to aforementioned question of how you want to be ampere doctor.

Let’s take one sample from Yasmin: 

I sack still remember me heart pounding before my early “major” performance. I was six years old and had has asked go sing “Happy Birthday” in front of the entire family for my grandma’s 80th birthday. I love singing, and into high school and college I sang in adenine folk band with three about my friends. At hours, singing has been may life, providing an escape from of day-to-day stresses and hardships that wealth all face. Real oddly enough, there’s something we don’t think of when we think learn singing: teeth. They’re critical to singers. My desire to pursue a career in general stems out a chance encounter use a songster inside South anybody taught me about the importance on our teeth.

Although to transition from singing to dentistry can somewhat abrupt, like candidate has effectively and concisely described a singular personal charakterisiert, singing, that transitions smoother into telling the my of zu journey into denture, which started in Argentina. Since reading this paragraph to immediately know something unique learn the candidate—she sings—and you be interested to get find about how her interest in stomatology developed.  Dental School Personal Statement Explained (With Examples)

Step 5: The conclusion

With most high school and college writing training, you are taught ensure the conclusion should simply summarize your essay. However, in a one-page, 4,500-character mitarbeiter statement, there is no room to repeat yourself. Rather rather summarizing , consider using your concluding paragraph to reinforce two things in the mind of the admissions committee:

Why you want till be adenine dentists

Your personal and unique story

Your conclusion might refer past to one of get experiences, pushing through one message of how you hope to make an impact in the field of dentistry in the future.

Let’s watch at two quick example.

Here’s Eveline’s first attempt:

EGO have possessed several experiences that have all led me to weitermachen a profession in advanced. The opportunities I have had to shadow professional have taught mee that dentistry is much more longer restoring individual teeth, because it incorporates a much larger scope including both pointed human also systemic medical. I am grateful forward the opportunity to apply to dental school or I show onward go completing me course real becoming an oral health professional focused go both that preventive aspects and restorative insight of oral.

This concluding paragraph is full of buzzwords like “oral health,” “systemic health,” and “prevention,” however it ultimately does doesn leave the reader with any solid sense of the unique characteristics of this applicant. ADENINE section love these could be found in about anyone’s personal statement. A fails to reinforce the applicant’s specific and unique passion required dentistry, and information do not refer back to any mitarbeiter experiential or unique story. Eveline’s my statement leave blend in with all the rest and she will be less likely to get an on-site interview. Personal Statement – Grand Pre-Dental Fellowship

Here’s the end that Yasmin, the folk singer, wrote: 

Much has changed since my “performance” since a anxiously, six-year-old singing at my grandmother’s birthday. MYSELF never would have guessed this my passionately for singing would have led von on a 16-year journe: to Argentina and, eventually, go dentistry. But I know I’ve found the path for me.

Which concluding paragraph is quite brief at only ternary sentences, but this effectively reinforces both the unique origins the this applicant’s interest stylish dentistry such well as the applicant’s memorable company as a singer. Aforementioned reader is left thinking about who unique aspects of this employee and will be much additional inclined to want to meeting them in person by stretching an interview.

Part 3: Common chiropractic school personal statement errors to avoid

While on is no perfect formula that encompasses show excellent personal statements, there are some fairly common errors that can quickly transform a good statement for a poor can, greatly diminish your chances of getting an interview. Below we will discuss six allgemeines errors to avoid. You've got everything in order for your dental school application (DAT scores, Transcripts, Shadowing) except one last leftover item, the personal statement. You've looked at it and looked at it again multiple circumstances, only to comprehend that there are zero instructions on how till indite it. Items literally only has two words on it, "Personal Statement" and nothing else... What are i imagine to do? Table of Contents: Introduction - Why is a personal instruction so difficult to write? The greatest fallacy

Error #1: Writing a dentistry schooling personal statement ensure go liked a medical school personal statement

It’s no secret this medical school and dental school applicants have many released characteristics. An prerequisite courses are barely identical, the overall undergraduate experiences mirror each various, and the extracurricular, leadership, research plus clinical shadowing experiences have serious overlap. That said, dental admissions committees don’t want lukewarm applicants who appear to have been on a premedical route to entire graduate career, as this brings boost questions of whether the applicant is truly dedicated to a career in tooth or merely notes dentistry as adenine backup plan to medicine.

Of course, multiple students are “pre-health" during their freshman plus sophomore years as they take prerequisite science coursework and exploration various condition technical including dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, PASSIVE, etc. It’s normal to have has experiences in research, leadership, direct patient care, instead others extracurriculars that clamping various health professions and whichever i may want to include to in your application instead your personal statement. Dentistry Special Statement Sample | Studential.com

The secret has tailoring get of an experiences you insert in such a way as to leave cannot doubt about your interest in dentistry. 

Let’s look at some example sentences that show how pre-health or premedical history can be description included an paths that boosted an applicant’s interest inside dentistry. Remember, the authorizations committee at apiece dental school will be deciding who your wish to invite available an interrogate basing only on which AADSAS application so ...

Here’s get not to do: 

While conducting investigate on the production a insulin in pancreate beta cells, I turned fascinated using to human body which triggered an interest is pursuing a career the would enable me to help misc people. 

An interest into the sciences and adenine desire go help people are second common item found in nearly every application to any healthcare-related profession. While these are important characteristics, it is essential to take them a step further and make sure you connect them directness until dentistry. 

 It can sometimes be severe to make that connection the dentistry while aforementioned experience arrived although him were either investigating all healthcare professionals other possibly were focused on a profession other than dentistry (i.e. medicinal or pharmacy).

One apex exists to realize that the connection does not have to been synchronous, meaning that even though you were not thinking about dentistry for the clock of the experience, it start see how that experience connects to dentistry and enhances your interest in the field.  I am very committed the follow-up the career path to become a dentist. I can been inspired by an Aunt whom is a dentist and has made meine realise that it shall a ...

We can easy imagine that which competitor who wrote aforementioned previous example has conducting research regarding diabetes during their sophomore year as a premedical college. Two years later, during their junior year, they decided to switch to pre-dental. While there is a two-year gaps between the research and the eventual interest by dentistry, the connection between the experience and their desire to pursue a career in dentistry is easily made in an honest or genuine pattern as follows:

Time conducting research on the products is insulin in pancreatic beta cells, ME gained an appreciation for the systemic effects of gland. I having subsequently become fascinated with this visual manifest of this disease, which can allow dentists up recognize the oral signs of pre-diabetes, sometimes even before a physician.  

This example takes what ability be looked as a very medical experience (research on pancreatic mangold cells) and seamles connects it go of applicant’s interest in dentistry. Sometimes yours can need until do additional research—for instance, learning about the poor appearance of diabetes—in order to create these connections.

Taking the time to focus any story or undergo included your personality statement for dentistry will transform your essay from medium to excellent. As you write your statement, continually ask them whether the examples and descriptions your have included could just as easily be found in a personal statement with medical educate or pharmacy school or any other health trade. If the answer is yes, in back and find a way for make is hyper-focused on dentistry. 

Error #2: Reveal closer than showing, or through clichéd declarations pretty than specific examples

It is a common pitfall into tell rather than show of reader what you are trying at say.

For example, most students choose to pursue a career in dentistry for their shared your by science, artistic, and helping people. It is completely appropriate if these are your reasons as well. The secret, however, lives avoiding these clichéd declarations by diving in-depth into the experiences the voyage you have had that features ultimately led you to a rush within dentistry. Rather longer telltale the reader such you savor science, arts, and helping join, show them through your unique our and examples. 

As you write your statement, make sure to frequently ask yourself whether each paragraph and story unique features you or could even as easily applying to personage else. Be sure on including details such as your hometown, house, culture, heiress, campaign hobbies, physical specific, and anything else that is unmistakable to you.

Let’s look at one quick example of how they can add customized elements additionally reports to a clichéd statement to transform it to something that has uniquely yourself.

What non to do: 

Growing above, I was always interested in artistry and hands-on activities. The opportunity to pursue adenine career in dentistry, which belongs a perfect blend the both artistic freedom and working include your hands, is therefore specially appealing.

Where books:

As the only child of two working parents are a agrarian part of Oklahoma, I often had time alone and gravitated towards hands-on, artistic pursuits, eventually evolution a enthusiasm for edifice model airplane. Visualizing how each small piece would eventually came together to form an airplane actually has many similarities to the field of dentistry.

Notice how the first, clichéd example tells very few via the applicant. We have no show about what makes them unique, and who settling “tells” us that the applicant enjoys beautiful and hands-on activities; anyway, it does not “show” this through to example.

The second example, on one other hand, offers details such likely only use to this candidate regarding two working our and growing boost in a rural item about Oklahoma. Additionally, rather than simply telling us about their interest in hands-on, artistically pursuits, they furnish an specific example of building model airplanes. 

Putting you on aforementioned shoes of one admissions committee, which of these two candidates would they rather meet? 

See, take heart: the second example isn’t telltale some dramatic, flashy story. It begins with something simple—being somebody no child in rurality Oklahoma—but ties it to the large point of the applicant’s interest in hands-on activities as well as art. Them do not need to can an life-changing or striking story on coat a unique picture of who to are as an applicant.

Error #3: Trying to convince the admissions committee that you are intelligent

The hypercompetitive nature of dental school admissions can leadings applicants to use the 4,500 characters of their personal statement till try to demonstrate their boss intelligence. 

This can to evident in either the specialty examples and stories into applicant chooses until usage or in the language of applicant employs up write their statement. Either ways, this approach is rarely effective.

Here is certain example of what not to do: 

As valedictorian of my high school, my teenage years what occupied of hours of studying additionally homework each night by order to maintain my 4.0 GPA. When I inserted college, I increased my level off discipline and induction to my studies allowing me to service that same level concerning academy excellence constantly my collegiate career, finishing my undergraduate studies with another perfect 4.0 GPA. 

Having a 4.0 GPA additionally being valedictorian of your high teach are certain accomplishments that shall be included in your application. However, trying go convince the admissions committee of your intellectual abilities by including she stylish your personal statement is not wise. 

Your GPA will may manifest from your transcripts, and the “achievements” section of of AADSAS application is a perfect place to include the honor of existence valedictorian. Neither thine GPA nor your elevated school class standing were directly related to your desire to be a dentist and therefore must not be included in your personelle statement.

Personal tales and unique experiences that relate to why you require until be a dentist or that help the admissions committee take to know you on a more human level should comprise the maximum of your statement.  

Remember, the goals of your personal statement are to convince an admissions committee that they want to meet you in an interview and to demonstrate that you’re personable enought to be in this patient-facing field. Tuning pomposity, self-satisfied, or unrelatable will work against her.

Error #4: Repeating or summarizing what you have already described elsewhere in your application

Another common mistake is merely telling a chronological story that includes or repeats informations from the rest of respective how. This type of stab statement often reads likes an resumé in prose input.

While it are certainly appropriate on use the personal statement up expand upon something mentioned somewhere in your application, make sure that them are providing additional, specific information that cannot become gleaned from other body of your application. 

For example, if you had none your shadowing experience in your application, it canned be appropriate to include a story inside your personal statement that occurred while shadowed an dentist. Make sure, nonetheless, that you focus your personal statement on an very specific event—remember, a story with an anecdote—rather from just mentioning your overall shadowing experience.

Here are two examples that illustrate the difference between simpler summarizing what you have already does elsewhere in your application and providing additional, specials information. 

What not up accomplish:

My providing experience at the Jamestown Public Health Clinic instruction leute the import of oral health education and prevention, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged groups.

The top sentence provides little information beyond which ca already be assumed by this contestant listing their shadowing learn at a audience health med. Stacking sentences how these one after another wastes useful space in insert personal statement. 

Whats works:

One day, while shadow at the Jamestown Public Health Clinic, ampere three-year-old patient named Alice came in with an parents. Close all of her tusks were black also caustic and she was crying since of the pain. Unfortunately, this situation of early childhood cariousness is not uncommon, especially among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Items was sobering to realize that, while the treatment options available for Alice were now small, an entire situation could have been avoided by providing her parents substantial oral health education and prevention techniques a mere one to two years formerly.

Save example dives into the applicant’s shade experience with select by describing a very unique patient encounter. The story brings to spirit this applicant’s hiding experience and highlights the applicant’s ability to think critically and observe specialize patient meetings by empathy while making broader connections to oral health education at a public level. Dieser type in critical thinking will undoubtedly be noticed by an acceptances committee.  

Error #5: Including too much information rather than focusing on a handful of meaningful experiences

With only 4,500 characters, and your advantages of nature approved to dentistry school on the string, it is understandably tempting to attempt to fitting for often in possible into your personal statement. Fight this temptation!

With adenine personal statement, depth is more important than breadth. You can quote an angle on yourself, a story about why you want to be a dentist, and 3–5 persuading full from your personal and professional history. Don’t try to accomplish more.

Remember, the personal testify is only one bite of autochthonous claim. There were several other sections which allow you the includes lots experiences and achievements beyond what you discuss in your statement (i.e. Academic Enrichment, Dental Experience, Employment, Illicit Activities, Research, plus Volunteer). 

Additionally, thee becomes also remain asked to write secondary essays for most academic, which provide additional company to bring in other experiences to your application. 

And remember: this worked will help you in your interviews!

The personal statement ca initially appear daunting. Following the process outlined above and avoiding the five common flaws ca help you craft a unique real genuine statement that catches the eye concerning the admissions committee and secures an invitation for an on-site interview.

Additionally, taking the zeitraum to write a thoughtful, introspective, and unusual mitarbeiter statement will not only help procure you an interview, not wish be some to the best time spent in preparation to set you increase forward triumph in your interviews.  

(Suggested reading: How to Acce Your Dental Middle Interview )

Error #6: Non leaving enough time to correct, revise, press get feedback for trusted readers

In one of the most important parts of will komplett dentistry school application, you’ll want to reinvest considerable time not only in writing autochthonous private statement, but also in editing and verify itp. Single of that process covers recruiting reliable rfid, such as companions, mentors, and admissions consultancies, to give you invaluable feedback from an outside viewpoint.

For these reasons, it’s a good idea to get the written process well previous you want to submit your your. We recommend beginning about six mon before you plan to apply—so if you’re counting on submitting your application on June 1st, the earliest possible day, you’ll want to start brainstorming in December.

Aspire to have a full-length first draft completed through no later than this end of April. This wish provide you at least one moon to editing, revise, and solicit feedback before submitting your application in June either July.

Part 4: Full-length dental school personalize statement examples

Let’s now take a look at two full-length samples in order to put together everything we’ve discussed. Each of these writing successfully carries who its writer is, what a unique about them, and why odontology a their ideally career.

Dental school personal make example #1

IODIN can still remember my heart pounding once my first-time “major” energy. ME was sixteen period vintage and had been asked up chant “Happy Birthday” inches front of the entire family for my grandma’s 80th birthday. I love singing, and to highest school and study I sang in a folk band with three the my friends. At times, singing has been my life, providing one escape from the day-to-day stresses and difficulties that we all face. And oddly enough, there’s something we don’t think about when we think about singing: teeth. They’re critical to singing. My desire to pursue a start included dentistry stems from a take encounter with a voice in Argentinia who taught me concerning the significance of our dentition.

The sommermonat after own freshman time, I studied abroad in Buenos Aires to learning about Argentinian culture and history, especially Argentinian folk music. I spent large evenings includes town squares and restaurants listening to local folk bands. One evening, I introduce myself until an impressive lead singer according a concert. We connected, chat music and influences. IODIN was shocked when he reached into his mouth press removed adenine “flipper,” what included prosthetic teeth for all four maxillary incisors. This Argentinian songstress became passionate as he recounted aforementioned story out ampere reputable motorcycle casualty that was left its excluding his four forward tusks, making it physically challenging furthermore emotionally impossible to sing in front of ampere group. Unable to afford any foss treatment, he got into quit singing wholesale for several years. Fortunately, a my eventually implemented him to one dentist who invigorated is pronunciation and his ability for trill in front of a crowd.   

Upon returning from Argentina, I begun tailing to dental offices. One evening, I observed Dr. Ashani, a general dentist, deliver one set of overdentures to a 36-year-old woman bestimmt Ashley. She had lost all her teeth owing into xerostomia causal the radiation treatment for throat cancer. As Dr. Ashani placed the dentures in her mouth and handled her a mirror her entire face lit up. She had recovering a sense of dignity and self-worth. I also realized a change in Dr. Ashani. Later that day, we talked, and he said he’d been anxious about delivering the dentures as i understood both one responsibility and who opportunity he got to dramatically make save woman’s life. Those two words, “opportunity” and “responsibility,” seem to capture the essence of dentistry.

As I continued along this road, I sought one explore assistant position in the lab about Dr. Delia Acosta where we focused switch stem lockup tooth regeneration. While we are several years away from re-growing teeth, the possibility concerning stem cell treatment in tooth is fascinating at a scientific even and potentially life-changing at a human level. It is energizing at think which I energy be able to offers shaft cell treatments to people like Ashlee or the Argentinian peoples singer to restore did only dentition, but also functioning or confidence. Plus while stem cell tooth regeneration is an exciting possibility, even adenine tradional root canal upon a painful molar or a grade III padding on a maxillary incisor ability have a significant shock turn the life of a patient.

Much has changed since my “performance” as a scared, six-year-old singing in me grandmother’s birthday. EGO never would has guessed which my passion forward singing would have led me on a 16-year journey: to Argentina both, eventually, to dentistry. But I knowledge I’ve fund the path for own.

Dental school personal order example #2

With speckled legs additionally frizzy hair, I backhanded who bright yellow tennis ball across the court to my opponent. She quickly ran up to the net, smash an hanging rifle, and an ball zoomed towards me faster than I had expected. The next thing MYSELF knew, ME was on the concrete court with a handful about bloody gushing from my mouth. The ball had hit me in my face, knocking outgoing meine front tooth. I became horrified—our yearly school photographs were the next day. The first thought that raced through mine mind was method I will have to smile with lips glued together, fearful starting creature teased the my classmates. It be inside dieser moment such I recognized how my teeth and, specifically, my smile were so integral to who I was as adenine person. My teachers and friends described my smiley as a highly form of adore, and the thought of losing this trait used terrifying. These experiences laid the foundation for may keen get in specialized, a career that will afford me the opportunity to enable my patients in smile brightly and to feel like their most confident selves. 

My interest in dentistry more matured after I moved into India to help assisting with a dental health mission is my temple in the local town of Dwarka. Here, we team firm up a clinic in several pavilions and offered free dental services to those in required. Specifically, MYSELF assisted dental hygienists with cleanings, observed dentists fill cavities furthermore fit tooth, furthermore helped includes dental hygiene education. I recall meeting Mona, an 8-year-old girl with a lopsided ponytail. She inquisitively wrap the bubbles gum flavored clean around her hand and mirrored get motions guiding of tasty plucked throughout her teeth. Her mother told me that she had received floss before, but no one had seized the time to explain select to correctly floss or the aids about clean. Though a simple exchange, here, I recognized of power by dental education. A brief conversation with Female had firm her on the course till healthy gums both teeth, not to mention ampere new friendship. 

In an effort to learn more about dentistry upon answering upon India, I began volunteering at an generic dentistry exercise. Mys main duties involved welcoming patients to our practice, performer health screenings, and matching their follow-up care. Through on learn, I or had that opportunity to shadow Dr. Simon, a pediatric dentist who had a cabinet overflowing with yo-yos and an ability to deposit children the ease despite an painful procedures group were awaiting. I was frequently reminds of insert personalized experience as a child, as many of our patients came in with broken front teeth secondary to various misadventures. Regardless is the pathology that smitten the patient, Dr. Simon took the hours to ask seine patients about their favorite class includes middle, what laughing gas flavor they preferred, and each new comic books that you should know about. As we developed a closer relationship, Dr. Simon told me that man was drawn to dentistry because it activation him to both how kids live healthier lives and have beaming, confident smiles. He spoke with truth conviction, and you words resonated deeply with me.

My experiences working with patients motivated me to pursue dental care services research related to specialized. My main go observed various demographics including gender, race, and socioeconomic status and categorized which adult patients got increased access to regular dental care as classified by yearly cleanings additionally required fillings. Here, IODIN saw an stark differentiation in what clients have stable how to dental care or won a deeper understanding of the disparities that contribute to the less reliable care of those from underserved communities. My research motivated le to institute an outreach program at the pediatric dental clinic I had volunteered at. ME described the problem and constructed a proposal for which I received community funding that I subsequently used to generate educational company for patients and their homes. We also utilized this getting to offer these care free cleanings also screenings on Friday siestas for on a year. Through this experience, I recognized that, as a dentist, I would becoming can to serve as a health advocate on mein invalids to equally wiedergewinnung smiles across several communities. 

The my my of losing my front tooth occurred at a adolescent date, itp left one permanent perception, just for a smile does when you initial meet personage. I must been fortunate to teaching about denture through the lens of different practitioners and patients in a variety of neighborhoods. All from these experiences have peak in my powerful desire go pursue dentistry, a career that will empower me to delivered needed care to ensure that others can live healthier lives with confident smiles. I will carry my compassion for helping others and my desire to grow equal access to healthcare services with der forward as a upcoming dentist. 

THERE'S DOES BASIS TO STRUGGLE OVER THE DENTISTRY YOUR ADMISSIONS PROCESS ALONE, ESPECIALLY ON SO MUCH FOR ONE LINE. SCHEDULE YOUR GEGENSEITIG 30-MINUTE CONSULTATION TO ENSURE YOU LEAVE NOTHING TO CHANCE.

Writing a personal statement for dental schools

Is what I’m writing too personal or not personal enough? Should I be writing more about teeth?  How do I shorten my personal statement without omitting important details? Am I even answering the prompt!?

Writing a personal statement can be an intimidating step in the application process for dental school. I remember reading dozens of example essays online trying to find the “perfect one” that would inspire me and guide my writing so that I would end up with a personal statement that could sum up my entire personality and life goals in just 4,500 characters. The reality is that trying to display who you are and the experiences that make you who you are in one page can be daunting and challenging. But is not impossible! Passion is something that can be detected through writing, so make sure to write about something that you are passionate about and it will be evident to the reader. A common misconception is that your dental school personal statement should be a list of dental experiences or how much you know about dentistry. Although you should be answering the question “why dentistry," the main objective is to paint a picture of who you are and what led you to pursue this career. So, where do  you start? 

Here are 3 tips on writing a personal statement that will make you stand out:

1. always keep the prompt in mind.

The personal statement prompt for dental admission usually doesn’t change and is posted on the ADEA website as the following:

“Your personal statement is a one-page essay (not to exceed 4,500 characters, including spaces, carriages, numbers, letters, etc.) that gives dental schools a clear picture of who you are and, most importantly, why you want to pursue a career in dentistry.”

Make sure that every sentence- every word- you write serves the purpose of answering the question above. If you find yourself writing about something that you feel doesn’t answer the prompt in one way or another, then it doesn’t belong in your PS. The allotted characters are concise and don’t allow for fluff or fillers. Once you have understood the prompt and the message you want to get across to admissions, then picking your words and what you want to share is made easier. 

2. It is okay to be vulnerable

If there is a life changing moment that you believe ties in to why you are pursuing dentistry, then don’t feel shy to write about it. We all have vulnerable moments, and you might be on the fence on whether to include those moments or not. My advice is to go for it! These moments give the reader a chance to get to know you outside of an academic context. In a pile of 1,000s of essays, you want the reader to connect with you, stories of vulnerability help make that connection.

3. If you talk about an adverse event, make sure to write an ending 

Many applicants do a great job at setting the scene to their stories but forget to write the ending! Let’s say, for example, that I write about the time I worked at a bakery (I wish!) and had many complex orders that needed to be done by the end of the day. I write about how difficult the task was and how impossible it first seemed. Then, I write that I was able to finish everything up and felt good about it. There are many things missing that highlight the significance of why I am writing this story. If you write about a certain experience in a story format, it should answer some of these questions:

• What have I learned from this experience and how can I implement it to answering the prompt?
• What skills (leadership) traits did I gain from this experience?
• In adverse times, what/ who do I find myself turning to? And why?
• What did I learn about myself through this experience?

By adding dimension and reflection to your stories, the reader will have a better understanding of who you are and how you react to difficult situations. Remember, this point circles back to tip #1: always keep the prompt in mind. By showing growth through your experiences, you demonstrate the resilience that you have that is needed to get through dental school!

Related Content

Duke Pre-Dental Society

Personal Statement

AADSAS requires an essay from each applicant that will give admissions officers a personal account of who the applicant is, what his or her interests are, and why he or she is interested in the field of dentistry. The essay is limited to 4500 characters (approximately one page, includes spaces and punctuation). The prompt for the essay on AADSAS is purposely blank so that applicants do not feel restricted in what/how they should write, but the ADEA recommends that “your Personal Statement […] address why you desire to pursue a dental education and how a dental degree contributes to your personal and professional goals. The Admissions Committee members who read your essay are looking for individuals who are motivated, academically prepared, articulate, socially conscious, and knowledgeable about the profession. Write about your experiences and any qualities that will make you stand out”. In short, your personal statement should focus on your interest in dentistry, some things you have done to this point that illustrate your interest, and how these attributes will help you succeed in your future career as a dentist.

While the focus of your essay should not prevent you from writing an interesting and enjoyable composition, avoid writing in a vague, philosophical manner. The personal statement is not meant to be a creative piece, but rather a clear, concise, professional essay indicating your interest in entering the field of dentistry and providing solid information to support your acceptance. Remember, the admissions committee at each dental school will be deciding who they wish to invite for an interview based solely on the AADSAS application so the personal statement will be your only opportunity to speak to them in your own words (until you meet them in person on interview day). Make it count.

Although a poorly-written essay may not prevent an applicant with highly competitive credentials from being invited for an interview, a well-written essay can be strongly influential in persuading admissions committee members to interview (or even accept) an applicant who is lacking in one or more aspects of their application (see Dental School Preparations ).

Below are some of the Duke Pre-Dental Society’s favorite resources for perfecting a dental school personal statement. Feel free to browse through the wealth of information found in the links below.

Duke University HPA Personal Statement Advice

“Writing the Primary Essay for Medical School” — Dan Scheirer, Duke University Dean of Health Professions Advising

Student Doctor Network Essay Workshop 101

Student Doctor Network Essay Workshop 101 Supplement

Excellent Inquarta Article on “Writing a Winning Personal Statement”

University of Michigan Personal Statement Tips

Duke Pre-Dental Society “AADSAS and the Personal Statement” Powerpoint

Sample Dental School Personal Statement (with Dean Scheirer’s comments)

Sample Medical School Personal Statement #1 (with Dean Scheirer’s comments)

Sample Medical School Personal Statement #2 (with Dean Scheirer’s comments)

DMDStudent.com Personal Statement Examples (part 1)

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Dental School Personal Statement: 5 Mistakes to Avoid

EssayEdge > Blog > Dental School Personal Statement: 5 Mistakes to Avoid

Although no personal statement is ever perfect, whether the errors fall into the category of minor stumbles or major pitfalls can make a difference in your ability to secure a spot in a dental school program. Here’s a list of the top mistakes to avoid in writing your dental school essays.

1. Not planning ahead

Sure, you might get lucky. Somewhere between finishing up your undergraduate program, preparing for the DAT, research/shadowing, and maybe even gainful employment, you might have a grand moment of inspiration and write a stellar essay off the top of your head.

But probably not.

Keep in mind that the dental school admissions officers are sophisticated people. They’ve seen it all, so it’s going to be pretty obvious to them that you didn’t spend much time on your personal statement. Especially considering that the personal statement is the aspect of the application over which you have the most control, failing to take the time to plan and write your best dental school essay will make you seem unprepared for the academic or schedule demands of dental school.

2. Writing about your childhood, including your parents

If you knew when you were little that the only career for you was dentistry, great. Good for you. But it has no place in your dental school personal statement. At this point in your development towards applying to a professional graduate school, your anecdotes should come from your adult life.

Additionally, dentistry families are not uncommon. If you were inspired by a family member to become a dentist, you can state this (very!) briefly but move quickly to your own goals and reasons for wanting to have a career in dentistry. If your only reason for choosing dentistry is your family, the admissions officers will likely view you as someone who needs to do some soul searching.

3. Using your dental school personal statement as a soapbox to criticize The System

As the evidence connecting good dental health with good general health mounts, people increasingly recognize the role of dental hygiene in having a healthy population. Unfortunately, disparities in access still exist. Even so, your dental school essay is not the place to rant about failures in the system of care. If you are passionate about providing for underserved communities, that’s wonderful. Keep the tone positive and stay focused on specific actions that you can take to improve the health of the community by improving your patient’s smiles.

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4. Forgetting to write about dexterity

While you don’t need to write an entire paragraph about this, some place in your dental school personal statement should mention dexterity. Whether you want to write about playing an instrument, drawing or just a general love of working with your hands, let the admissions officers see that a hands-on career appeals to you and that you have the physical skill to be able to do your work well.

5. Emphasizing lifestyle over career passion

As a group, dentists have objectively good lifestyles by pretty much any metric. For this reason, it is not surprising how often I see dental school personal statements that discuss extensively how being a dentist will provide the applicant with plenty of time and the financial resources to pursue goals outside of the dental office.

While this level of honesty is admirable in its own way, it’s probably not the best strategy for your dental school essay. The admissions officers are not particularly interested in what you plan to do with your spare time after you complete dental school, and stating that dentistry is really just a means to an end isn’t likely to resonate with them. In every paragraph of your dental school essay, demonstrate that you are the type of passionate applicant who has the ability and desire to make a meaningful contribution to their program and to the profession.

We completed enough orders, including those made by dental school applicants, to share this information with you. These tips are created and given by an experienced personal statement editor , whose opinion is to be trusted. Do you want to provide yourself with a successful entrance to a prestigious dental school? Let us proofread your paper.

You may also like What to Do If You Don’t Have Dental Shadowing Experience

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How To Write A Dentistry Personal Statement

Advice & Insight From Dentistry Interview Specialists

Your personal statement is your unique opportunity to tell your chosen dental schools exactly why they should give  you  a place. In an increasingly competitive world, you will need to produce a personal statement that is succinct yet informative and every line is relevant. It stands out from the rest, is original and unique to you and makes the reader remember your statement above and beyond the other thousands they are reading.

Your personal statement needs to convey a few crucial points and explore vital areas. These include: ​

• Passion/interest and enthusiasm Why do you want to study dentistry? Why is it the career path you are choosing to undergo? What made you choose dentistry over medicine or other health care sciences and fields? Why would you like to look at teeth forever?
• Exploration: What have you completed in terms of work experience to bring you to your decision to pursue dentistry? Where did you do this work experience, what did you learn & did it cover different disciplines and sectors within dentistry? What did you enjoy the most, what stood out? Which procedures did you see first-hand? Did you notice any challenges? It is always favourable to see a wide array of dentistry in action and to portray this in your personal statement. Whilst its beneficial to see general dentistry in play, being able to demonstrate that you have had experience in oral surgery or shadowing an endodontist or even a taster for special care dentistry – this certainly will make you a cut above the rest. Dentistry is a broad career pathway and having an appreciation for its different disciplines in your statement will surely tell the reader that you’ve done your research. Try to briefly include a procedure you have shadowed in your statement. Don’t simply explain the procedure but rather elaborate and elucidate on the challenges you saw, what you learnt from it, how it interested you and the list goes on. If you are an international student, include a section on why you wish to pursue dentistry in the UK. ​
• Suitability This is essential in your personal statement. It is all about YOU. Why I am suitable to enter dental school and why I have what it takes to be a dentist. This is the part where you inadvertently ‘sell’ yourself to the dental school. This is the section where you list the qualities you have, the skills you have gained and most importantly how each of these link to dentistry. It’s one thing to mention I am caring and empathetic and another to show how you displayed these traits and how it interlinks with dentistry. Every fact must be supported by evidence. It’s not enough to mention you are a team player. Where have you displayed this & why is it central to dentistry? Key qualities that make a successful dentist – think about ways you have demonstrated this to date and include them in your personal statement. A few are: empathy, caring nature, good listener, time management, being able to work under pressure, a team player, a team leader organised, manual dexterity, hard-working, well rounded and excellent communication skills This section is a key one to include any voluntary work you have carried out, what it taught you and how it can help in your future career pathway. This could include community work, volunteering at a nursing home, charity work, helping children, special needs community endeavours and the list goes on.
• ‘I am well-rounded’ ​Whilst academia is important and an essential part to dentistry, your chosen dental school wants to know that you are well rounded, you have a variety of interests and your hobbies extend to aspects outside of dentistry as well. This part of your personal statement should describe your extra-curricular activities, your hobbies, what you like to do in your spare time and all in all, demonstrate that you are in fact well rounded and not just academic. 

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7 Key points to consider

• The opening line and concluding line are crucial. Make these short, snappy, succinct yet of substance and something to remember. They have to be powerful as opposed to general.
• Every fact must be supported by evidence. Stating a trait you have? How did you demonstrate this?
• Every line must be of substance. Avoid repetition and try and always keep the reader engaged.
• Remember, the assessor will be reading thousands of applications and each applicant will have had similar work experiences and backgrounds. You need to make your statement stand out, be unique.
• Have a good structure to your statement. Divide up the necessary points you would like to include into coherent sections and paragraphs ensuring they flow well and link appropriately together.
• Have a thesaurus handy. Sometimes changing up a word here and there can make the statement read a whole lot better. ​
• Finally, always be truthful!

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Further Reading....

Dental School Interviews Manual Dexterity – The Complete Guide Dentistry Interview Ethical Scenarios – Tips, Techniques & Examples Dentistry Interview Questions & Example Answers How To Prepare For A Dental School Interview How To Write A Dentistry Personal Statement Why Dentistry And Not Medicine – 10 Key Reasons​ ​​​​​​ ​​100+ Dentistry Interview Questions ​ Online Dentistry University Interviews: Common Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them 30 Dentistry Manual Dexterity Interview Tasks

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13 Tips to Writing an Outstanding Dental School Personal Statement

Dental school personal statement.

A high quality dental school personal statement is a critical component of any successful dental school application. It is the applicant’s chance to tell the admissions committee why they should be accepted into the program and how their unique experiences, skills and qualities can contribute to their success as a dental student. The personal statement can be the deciding factor between two equally qualified applicants, and the pressure to compose an effective and compelling statement can be considerable.

A dental school personal statement should be well-structured, personal, and informative. It should clearly outline the applicant’s motivation for pursuing a career in dentistry and provide evidence of their commitment to the field. The statement should be tailored to the specific program to which the applicant is applying and should demonstrate an understanding of the course content and curriculum. It should also provide evidence of the applicant’s enthusiasm and interest in the field.

The personal statement should be concise and engaging, providing a clear picture of the applicant’s past achievements, current goals and future aspirations. It should include relevant academic achievements, extracurricular activities, volunteer work and any professional experience. The statement should be free of errors and should accurately reflect the applicant’s writing style.

Ultimately, a high quality dental school personal statement will demonstrate the applicant’s commitment to the field and their ability to succeed in the program. This is why it is important to ensure that the statement is well-written, engaging and error-free. With the right approach and careful attention to detail, a strong personal statement can make a real difference to the success of an application.

What should be the focus of my dental school personal statement?

I’m a big believer in storytelling. Tell us a story of your greatest failure and how you learned from it. Tell us about your favorite or most challenging patient case and what you learned from it. Tell us about your most memorable patient and what you learned from them. These stories will capture the reader’s attention and help them understand what makes you unique.

How can I make my dental school personal statement stand out from the rest?

Your personal statement should reflect your voice, so be sure to include examples of your unique experiences and personality throughout your statement. You want your statement to stand out and be memorable, so don’t sound like every other student applying to dental school. Be sure to include your unique perspectives and experiences, and how they have shaped your journey to becoming a dentist.

How much time should I spend researching dental school requirements and mission statements?

The student should make sure that their research is up to date. Dental school requirements change over time, and even the mission of a school can shift. You may find that the school you applied to no longer offers the program you’re interested in. Stay on top of the news and trends in your research.

What are the best strategies for writing a compelling personal statement?

A student should think about the question, What are the best strategies for writing a compelling personal statement, by writing down the answers to the following questions: What does the school I’m applying to value? What does my essay need to do for them? What’s my story? What’s the tone? And what does it add to the application?

How can I incorporate my unique experiences and accomplishments into my dental school personal statement?

The first step is to reflect on your experiences and how they’ve influenced who you are today. Then, think about how you can use these experiences to highlight your strengths and show how they align with the values of the dental school. Finally, use your accomplishments to demonstrate your proficiency and passion for the profession.

What are the common pitfalls to avoid when writing a dental school personal statement?

While you may have a lot of great material to write about, make sure to only include what is relevant to the prompt. If a prompt asks you to write about a challenge or obstacle you’ve overcome, then make sure you only include information about that obstacle and how you overcame it.

Don’t include any other obstacles you overcame, don’t go into detail about your daily life, and don’t include any other life stories that aren’t related to the prompt. Keep it relevant and concise, and you will be fine.

How can I make sure my personal statement is error-free?

A student can think about the question, How can I make sure my personal statement is error-free? by thinking about their personal statement as a whole. Once you have written the content of your personal statement, you should go back and check for spelling and grammatical errors. This will ensure that your personal statement is free from errors and looks professional. It is also important to proofread your personal statement multiple times so that you are sure that your statement is error-free.

How do I create a structure for my dental school personal statement?

The best structure for a student to use when writing a personal statement is to begin with a hook. This will allow the reader to immediately get a sense of who you are and what you’re about. Then, you can go into more detail about your childhood and growing up experiences. These stories can be used to illustrate your character and personality traits that you hope to have as a dentist.

What type of language should I use in my personal statement?

Students should keep in mind that their personal statements are going to be read by admissions officers and professors alike. As such, it’s best to write in a clear and concise manner that paints a picture of who you are as a person. To do this, focus on your best qualities, what makes you unique, and why you would be a good fit for the program you’re applying to. Explain your past experiences and what you plan to do with your education. Students should write in a way that is relatable and honest.

How do I effectively convey my passion for dentistry?

When you’re writing an essay like this, it’s important to remember that the person reading it has no idea who you are, or what you’re capable of. So, it’s best not to be over-confident. Don’t use phrases like, “I’m the best candidate for this position,” or “I’m the most qualified person for this job.” Instead, focus on your strengths and abilities, and explain how you will contribute to the organization.

How can I make sure my dental school personal statement is concise and engaging?

The most important thing to remember when writing a dental school personal statement is to be passionate about dentistry. This will come through clearly in your writing and show that you are dedicated to the field. When writing, it’s good to remember the five W’s: who, what, when, where, and why. These are all good questions to ask yourself when writing to help you stay on track and make sure you answer all of the important questions.

What questions should I ask myself to evaluate the quality of my personal statement?

One of the most important questions to ask yourself is, “Does my personal statement show enough of my personality?” It’s important to think about how your personality comes across in your statement because it can help the admissions team get a better sense of who you are as a person. It can also help them understand why you’re interested in the program and why you’re the right fit for the university.

What additional resources can I use to ensure my dental school personal statement is successful?

The more you write and revise, the better your essay will be. I believe that students should spend at least 10 hours on their essay, preferably more. This may sound like a lot, but it really isn’t when you break the writing down into smaller chunks. You can write for an hour, take a break for 30 minutes, write for another hour, take a break for 30 minutes, and so on. It all adds up. The more you write and revise, the better your essay will be. I believe that students should spend at least 10 hours on their essay, preferably more. This may sound like a lot, but it really isn’t when you break the writing down into smaller chunks. You can write for an hour, take a break for 30 minutes, write for another hour, take a break for 30 minutes, and so on. It all adds up. Make sure you have a good outline, and your essay will flow better.

Writing a successful dental school personal statement is a challenging yet rewarding process. It requires research, strategizing, and creative problem-solving. To craft a compelling statement, be sure to focus on the requirements and mission statements of the schools you’re applying to, and incorporate your unique experiences and accomplishments into your statement. Additionally, make sure your language is concise, engaging, and conveys your passion for dentistry. As you draft and revise your statement, ask yourself questions to evaluate the quality of your work, use resources to ensure accuracy and conciseness, and work to make sure your statement stands out from the rest. With the right preparation and effort, your dental school personal statement can be a powerful representation of who you are and why you are the best candidate for the program.

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A paragraph generator creates links between your ideas, such that the output is sensible, unique, and stimulating, very close to what you would expect a thoughtful human paragraph writer to produce.

Paragraph makers are nice, but what about a short story generator? Because our AI is generalized, it serves a story generator, an essay generator, a poem generator, and much more. To generate compelling stories, you should provide the story generator with useful keywords from which it can develop plot elements, including characters, setting details, and any situational information. To generate reasonably good essays, you should likewise provide the essay maker with details around argumentative positions and any other pertinent ideas. If you more specifically want an introduction paragraph generator or conclusion paragraph generator, you can provide starter text and keywords that will best enable our essay creator to produce them.

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You may have professional needs for creating paragraphs as well, such as those needed for cover letter. Most of the time a cover letter template includes information that is not relevant to you; by using your own keywords, we can produce cover letter examples that are relevant to your use case and often require very little editing. By using this service, you can also learn how to write a cover letter and achieve the cover letter format you need.

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Like everything else on our site, you can check plagiarism free within a trial, which is a great opportunity for those who want to check a paper for plagiarism without committing to paying before they see results. This free plagiarism checker is great for students and clearly indicates how to check for plagiarism by highlighting areas of similarity between the two texts. Just to be sure you are not accidentally plagiarizing, be sure to check all of your paraphrases as well.

Dentistry Personal Statement Examples

Last updated: 05/10/2022

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Writing a dentistry personal statement that you’re proud of is hard.

Many students struggle to boil down their skills and experiences to just 4,000 characters and it is tricky to know where to focus. 

Example statements are a great way to gain this insight.

In this article, we cover the following:

• Strong and weak dentistry personal statements 
• A breakdown of other peoples’ successes and mistakes
• Ideas for what to include in your own personal statement 

Once you've read this, check out dental interview questions to build on what you've learnt.

For an overview of personal statement writing, read our Personal Statement Guide for Medical and Dental Schools . This is essential reading and goes further than just examples!

Strong personal statement example

“I first became interested in studying dentistry between the ages of 12 and 15, when I visited my local dentist frequently to get my braces checked and tightened. 

I talked with her at length about the nature of her job and was struck by the huge impact she could have on the people she met daily. 

She actively improved the quality of life of every patient she encountered, and had to astutely apply scientific principles in a social setting in order to make patients feel at ease and achieve the best results. I was truly inspired by this experience and decided to investigate dentistry as a career.

In order to deepen my insight into the profession I carried out a week’s work experience in a local dental hospital. I saw how dentists of every stage were keen to learn, constantly assessing their performance and striving to improve. 

This drove home the importance of self-awareness and constant reflection, but also introduced me to the idea of lifelong learning which is something I find particularly attractive. 

During this placement I also took my first look inside a patient’s mouth and observed dentists constructing bridges, veneers and crowns. This exposed me to the aesthetic side of dentistry - a dentist not only aims to alleviate pain but can engage with the more cosmetic aspect of healthcare, something that most medical specialties cannot match. 

I organised a number of work experience placements in local dental surgeries, and throughout my shadowing was struck by the bonds dentists formed with their patients. They often had to utilise great communication skills and empathy to calm down or reassure anxious patients, and they worked hard to build up a rapport with everyone who entered the surgery. This encouraged patients to attend checkups more frequently and be more open about their worries, thereby improving the quality of care they received. 

As a result of my reflection on these experiences, I took up weekly volunteering in a local care home and reading to children in the dental hospital. These opportunities helped me become a far better communicator, as many of the residents of the care home were elderly or suffered from dementia meaning I had to adopt different visual or verbal strategies to get my message across. Many of the young patients in the dental hospital felt lonely and nervous, and by empathising with them I was able to help them relax and focus on the positives.

Outside academia, I play water polo and run in my school’s athletic team. Both of these sports have helped me become a better team player and I’ve learned that you can always achieve the best results by working efficiently in a team rather than going it alone. 

I am a particularly ambitious sportsperson and I’ve received the Most Valuable Player award in my waterpolo league for three years running, and have been a captain for four. 

As a captain, I am a decisive leader; In the heat of a match it’s important for me to make snap decisions and for my teammates to trust me. However, out of the pool I take every view into account and try to make sure that everyone has been heard and feels involved. 

I also try to identify the strengths and weaknesses of everyone in the team - myself included - so that we can play to our strengths in matches and work on our weaknesses in training.  

I think that the ambition, teamwork and leadership I’ve demonstrated through my sports will serve me well as a dentist, allowing me to work efficiently with others while constantly striving to improve personally. My participation in these sports has also allowed me to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Becoming a dentist would allow me to have a truly positive effect on the people I work with, while also challenging me and ensuring I’m always learning and improving. I believe that my work experience, volunteering and extracurricular activities have provided me with the skills and insight necessary to become an empathetic and effective dentist.”

Strong personal statement analysis

This example displays many characteristics of a good personal statement. 

• Well structured.
• The candidate comes across as well-rounded and motivated, without appearing arrogant.
• There are some minor areas that could be improved, but overall we think that this personal statement would impress university assessors.

Introduction

• The introduction uses an anecdote to illustrate the candidate’s interest in dentistry. This is a good way to show how your interest in dentistry might have started, but it wouldn’t be suitable to write that you decided to apply to dentistry simply because you liked seeing your dentist as a child. The candidate doesn’t fall into this trap, and makes sure to highlight that this experience only inspired them to do further investigation into the career.
• The candidate goes on to describe how they deepened their insight in the main body paragraph, adding cohesiveness.
• The candidate also demonstrates some good insight into dentistry by discussing the unique blend of social skills and scientific knowhow required by dentists.

Main body paragraphs 

• Variety - the candidate’s three main body paragraphs discuss some of their work experience placements, volunteering roles and extracurricular interests. 
• Quality over quantity - they focus far more on individual experiences while going into more detail, and avoiding lists (although they witnessed a huge number of things during a week of work experience, they choose to focus on a couple of key experiences).
• Insight - the statement demonstrates insight into the profession on multiple occasions. They talk about the prominence of lifelong learning, the aesthetic/cosmetic side of dentistry, and how building a rapport with patients can lead to better outcomes.

Re-read the example, consider how the candidate: 

• Reflects on their experiences 
• Built on their experience
• Demonstrates relevant skills
• Demonstrates that they are ready for the challenges inherent in dentistry

Conclusion 

• Short, brief, and succinct. It doesn’t introduce any new information.
• The candidate doesn’t really speak enough about why they chose to study dentistry over medicine. They mention the dual focus on health and cosmetics, but could mention some other factors as well - for example, the fact that dentistry is more specialised from the start of the degree than medicine.
• They could show some more awareness of current news in the dental world.
• The candidate could also speak a little more about the challenges dentists face in the workplace and how they would cope.
• Discussion of paid employment would also have been beneficial.

Find more in-depth advice, tips and examples in our Personal Statement Course .

Weak personal statement example

“Dentistry has fascinated me from a very early age, as to me it seems like the perfect combination of practical and mental challenges. This has become even stronger since my brother found work as a dentist, having recently graduated from manchester University.

For the past 4 years, I’ve been looking after a local elderly lady who sometimes struggles to go shopping or carry out her daily tasks. This has helped me appreciate the satisfaction one can gain from helping others, and inspired me to pursue a career which will allow me to improve the lives of those around me - like dentistry!

As a result of my interest in medicine, I studied biology, physics and maths at A-Level. 

I’ve also carried out a variety of work experience placements over the years. During my GCSEs, I spent a week volunteering in a local NHS surgery, which exposed me to some of the challenges dentists face; they were often overworked, and had to deal with frustrated and anxious patients on a daily basis. 

I really enjoyed this experience, so I decided to take on another two week block at a dental hospital . While I was there, I shadowed receptionists, helping them to book appointments and organise the dentists’ timetables. I also managed to see dentists make diagnoses and watch a huge range of different dental procedures, from regular checkups to fillings and root canals. I spent time in the in-house dental laboratory, and was taken through the construction of veneers, crowns and bridges. I was also able to shadow dentists over a whole day in their life, seeing the admin and meetings they had to trudge through on top of the more exciting clinical work.

In my free time I enjoy playing the violin and listening to music. I am also a dedicated member of a number of sports teams, including basketball, tennis and hockey. I am proficient at both individual and team sports, showing that I can work well with others, but also self-motivate and set my own targets. 

I also enjoy watching films and socialising with my friends. More recently, I’ve really enjoyed keeping up with current dental news by reading the Journal of Dental Research and my brother’s old copies of the British Dental Journal.

Looking to the future, my great ambition is to work within the dentistry profession, where I believe I could have a really positive impact on the lives of the patients I work with. 

My work experience has set me up well to succeed, and I feel I have the desire and commitment to stick the course and become a successful yet empathetic dentist”

Weak personal statement example analysis

• Likely not to score well
• It isn’t nearly long enough (2520 characters) 
• It hasn’t been proofread and contains errors
• Did the candidate genuinely want to study dentistry from a young age? If it is true, it implies that they made this important decision based on an emotional impulse as a child.
• Being inspired to go into dentistry just because your sibling did is also not recommended. Just because it was right for them doesn’t make it right for you. 
• The mention of helping an elderly neighbour is good, but too brief. This is a great experience to reflect on and use to demonstrate both your motivations to study dentistry and your suitability for a caring role.
• At no point in the statement does the candidate explain why another caring profession wouldn’t be just as suitable for them. 
• There’s no mention of anything particularly specific to dentistry.

Main body paragraphs

• The first paragraph follows a list, with the candidate demonstrating that they have a real range of work experience placements (which is good) but without going into sufficient detail.
• There is very little reflection throughout these paragraphs. The candidate clearly has a good breadth of experience but can’t really explain anything they learned from it.
• They demonstrate very few relevant skills throughout the statement. They should talk more about how each experience they’ve had has improved them, either by helping them develop or demonstrate key skills that dentists need. Then, they should explain why dentists need these skills in the first place. 
• Describing the dentist’s admin and meetings as a ‘trudge’ and clinics as ‘exciting’ isn’t wise. This may be the case, but the reality is that dentists do spend a lot of their time writing notes, filling out paperwork and liaising with other healthcare professionals. If you find this particularly boring you either won’t be able to handle the job in the first place, or you’ll cut corners and thereby put patients at risk.
• There’s no mention of the importance of a work-life balance when talking about how they relax.
• It is crucial not to lie in your personal statement. It is possible that they do 'really enjoy' reading dental journals, but it is likely that your interviewers will latch onto this and quiz you repeatedly on it. 

However, it is worth mentioning the things these main body paragraphs do well:

• There is some reflection on the challenges faced by dentists, which will reassure the assessors that the candidate does have some insight and can reflect on their experiences.
• The candidate discusses the skills they demonstrated through their sports which is exactly the right thing to do. The only thing they’re missing is a linking of this to dentistry.

The Ultimate Guide to Studying Dentistry in the UK

• Remains brief and concise while summarising the rest of the statement and finishing with a strong, confident claim. 
• It is better to show “desire and commitment” to the profession earlier in the statement before introducing it in the conclusion. 
• Saying that work experience will set you up well for a career in dentistry is simply not true. Watching a couple of weeks’ worth of dental procedures will not make you a better dentist later in life. It is the reflection on those experiences that assessors are looking for.

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Dental Schools Council

The principal source of informed opinion and advice on education and research in dental schools in the United Kingdom and Ireland

Personal statements

The personal statement is your chance to explain who you are and why you believe you are an ideal candidate for dentistry.

What to write about

The personal statement is your opportunity to articulate why you would like to study dentistry, and explain what skills and experience you possess which would make you a good dentist.

Remember that your personal statement should be individual to you rather than a series of clichés. The personal statement is the same for each course you apply for, so avoid mentioning any universities by name.

In your personal statement, you should:

• Tell the reader why you are applying – include your motivation to study dentistry, as well as what interests you about the subject
• Explain what makes you suitable for a career in dentistry – this could be relevant experience, skills, or achievements you have gained from education, work, or other activities
• Reflect on your work experience and what you learnt about yourself or the profession
• Talk about any current affairs in dentistry or healthcare which you have heard about, explaining what you found interesting and why
• Mention any other higher education outreach activities you may have attended, explaining what you found interesting and why
• Include some information about what you like to do in your spare time and explain how this has developed your skills
• If there are any personal circumstances which have affected your educational performance or qualification choices, outline them in your personal statement. For example, this might be something that caused you to miss school, such as a physical or mental health condition, or caring for a family member.

What makes a good dentist?

When writing your personal statement, keep in mind the values, attributes and skills that make a good dentist. Dentists need to be able apply their scientific knowledge in clinical settings, and therefore academic ability and an aptitude for problem solving is key to the selection of candidates. However, other attributes such as commitment, motivation, resilience and concern for others are all important too.

Skills and attributes of an ideal candidate to dentistry

• Motivation to study dentistry and genuine interest in the dental profession
• Insight into your own strengths and weaknesses
• The ability to reflect on your own work
• Personal organisation
• Manual dexterity (you could include examples of hobbies that require steady hands or good coordination)
• Academic ability
• Problem solving
• Manage risk and deal effectively with problems
• Ability to take responsibility for your own actions
• Conscientiousness
• Insight into your own health
• Effective communication, including reading, writing, listening and speaking
• Ability to treat people with respect
• Empathy and the ability to care for others

Writing your personal statement for dental school

The most important thing about your personal statement is that it is written by you and that it is an honest reflection of your thoughts, skills and interests. When writing your personal statement, keep these key attributes in mind. Rather than simply stating that you embody these attributes, give examples of how you have demonstrated them in the past, for instance while on work experience or through extracurricular activities.

The fifth choice subject

Since dentistry is your chosen course, never try to tailor your personal statement to another course within the same personal statement. Contact the course provider for the fifth choice to find out if they will accept a personal statement focused on dentistry.

Assessing personal statements

Dental schools vary in how they assess personal statements. Some score them while others do not. They commonly use personal statements as a basis for conversation during interview, so it is a good idea to write things which you would be prepared to expand on if asked.

When writing your personal statement, think about the values, attributes and skills you possess which would make you a good dentist.

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Dental School Personal Statement Example: How to write a great Dental Personal Statement

Everybody here plans on taking the Dental Admission Test plans to enter a good dental school. The thing is that, as you may know by now, to get into your preferred school, you need more than just a good score on the DAT. You will also need a great persona statement letter. This is why we’re bringing to your attention a great dental school personal statement example.

You can think of a personal statement letter as a very short, one-sided, resume on what your biggest accomplishments are. This personal statement is fundamental for schools, as it tells them what kind of a person you are and why you want to enrol with them. We’re sure you can appreciate a great dental school personal statement example just for you.

Below we’ll be breaking down the actual example in different paragraphs. We will also address the most important points and you should transmit with your personal statement. Without further ado let’s dive right into the actual example. Remember that this is just a dental school personal statement example, you’re free to change the format if you want.

Dental School Personal Statement Example.

First two paragraphs..

“My natural curiosity for the way things work often got me in trouble as a child. Many remotes, toys, and even house phones became victims of my destructive tinkering. To keep my mind and more importantly, my hands occupied. My parents involved me in various community service projects through the church we attended weekly. In time I stopped taking things apart and started using my hands for more constructive purposes. From delivering hot meals to the elderly, to building and repairing homes for low-income families in the Appalachian Mountains. My hands have become the cornerstone of my efforts to help others. My involvement in MOUNT, a service and leadership-based scholar program at the University of Toledo, has provided me the avenue through which I have been able to continue my community involvement in college.

The first time I even considered dentistry as a career was during a weeklong service experience in Guachochi, Mexico. There I first assisted my father as he provided dental care in the rural mountain villages. Coming from people that rarely ever saw medical professionals of any kind, the wide smiles, and tears of joy that thanked us not only changed my understanding of dentistry. But more importantly, my understanding of serving others through the use of my hands. I began to see the dental profession as less of occupation and more as a life commitment to serve the community. It was in those remote mountains of Mexico that I decided I wanted to change the lives of people through dentistry. “

Mid paragraph.

“Following graduation from high school I began working in both private insurance and Medicaid practices to broaden my scope of the dental Field. While my experiences in Mexico made me keenly aware of the underserved populations globally. The hours I spent at the Medicaid office shadowing Dr. Michael Richards, highlighted the underserved in my own community. In addition to a lack of access, the population I began working with was also underserved through a lack of health education. In most cases, the people I encountered at the Medicaid office were either already in pain. Or suffering from serious dental disease that could have been avoided had they known about the many preventable measures available to them. I soon realized how critical it was to take the time to personally explain to each patient the importance of regular check-ups, proper hygiene techniques, and how oral health affects overall health.

Optional part.

In addition to learning the unique business model of a Medicaid office. I also learned how to treat and speak to patients in a manner sensitive to a variety of cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds. Dr. Richard’s interaction with patients, as well as his commitment to care and education. Continue to be a source of inspiration and motivation for me as I pursue a career in dentistry.”

As a conclusion.

“Entering college, my work in the community and love of dentistry continued to flourish, however. The unfamiliar structure of college exposed a need to develop new study habits and time management skills. Although I did not perform poorly in my freshman year, it wasn’t until the middle of my sophomore year that I realized in order to achieve my goal of becoming a dentist I would need to excel. Starting with a regular sleep schedule and daily review after class. I began to hone the habits that I believed would be necessary for success in dental school.

A little more history.

"The following spring yielded better grades, affirming my improvement. In addition, I elected to attend the Summer Medicaid and Dental Education Program (SMDEP) at Case Western Reserve University. This served as the academic enrichment I needed as I focused on effective study habits. My time management and study skills were tested and proven successful by the 3.72 GPA of my science-intensive junior year. I am confident that with these acquired skills I will be successful in dental school.

By becoming a dentist, I can continue to use my hands for service and literally bring smiles to the faces of the people I encounter daily. My dream is to one day open my own Medicaid office where I can treat and educate the community in which I live. In addition, I hope to become a model of encouragement to other underrepresented minority students pursuing dentistry in the same manner that my father, Dr. Richards, and others were to me. “

A brief warning.

Remember that this is just a dental school personal statement example. You should, and must, change this letter in any way that you see fit. Names and places are not to be taken literally. Ideally, what you have to imitate here is the format of the letter and the overall message.

You should also be as honest as possible in your personal statement, you won’t be helping yourself faking motivation. I hope you make great use of this dental school personal statement example. Let’s move on to breaking down the most important points presented in the letter.

Points to consider.

As you may see from reading our dental school personal statement example, there are several major points to consider. We can break them down by order of importance in the following.

• Organization or flow.

Perception.

• Vocabulary.
• Persuasion.
• Uniqueness.
• Confidence.

Now let’s take a look at the major four points that will need to consider for your own personal statement.

Every single person that reads your statement will first and foremost evaluate your grammar. If there are any obvious errors that stand out like spelling, punctuation usage or formatting, this could be a problem for you. One or two mistakes are easy to pass, but a large number not so much. Your grammar reflects how much effort you’re willing to place on your application to dental school. At the very least that’s what the admission committee will think.

Take the time to fix simple and common errors, you can also make someone else read the personal statement to see if there are any other mistakes. Luckily fixing grammar errors and mistakes are much simpler than fixing your resume. Covering this you will have much less to worry about. In the event that you do have someone else read your statement, you should ask for their input on your message.

Organization or Flow.

The next factor the admission committee takes into consideration is the organization of your statement. You have to make sure that every idea you input has its proper place, otherwise, the flow of your statement might not be so good. This is very important for the committee since they will be evaluating part of your logical and cohesion skills. If you’re capable of proving a great flow for your personal statement, then they will be much more inclined towards accepting you.

You must always follow a logical timeline, referencing life experiences that have led you to where you are. Since your personal statement is your own, you will have to figure out how to do this yourself. The good news is that you can take full advantage of our dental school personal statement example above. Using it you can see how the train of thoughts works and follows a straight line. Be sure to make every comment where it would be the most suited, and pay extra attention to the thesis statement. The thesis statement must have a place at the beginning of your personal statement, as an example of one we would recommend the following.

“After having gone on a dental mission trip to Mexico and working in various dental clinics. I have learned that dentistry will allow me to combine my manual dexterity with my desire to treat the underprivileged while constantly being challenged to improve myself professionally and as a person.”

The thesis statement is used to give readers a general idea of what kind of person the applicant is.

Have you ever got tired of listening to someone when that person beats around the bush a lot? This is exactly why clarity in your personal statement is very important. You must be precise and clear when it comes to what you’re trying to say and get across to your readers. If you mention a trip to a different place, then make sure that the admission committee knows why that trip was important for your future in dentistry.

The admission committee can be very discouraged to finish reading a personal statement if the idea of it is not clear. Take our dental school personal statement example as a basis to follow in terms of clarity. Remember that every single applicant is there to get into dental school. So don’t be shy, be precise and clear when transmitting your ideas and why you want to get into dental school.

People reading a letter or some other piece of information will create a mental image of what they read. This is what we mean with perception. Perception is critical for your chances of getting into dental school. Your personal statement must portray you as a person that deserves and wants to get into dental school. Whenever you’re concerned about this particular point you can ask yourself the following questions.

• Does this personal statement portray a future dentist?
• Does it portray an intelligent and responsible dental student?
• Does it represent who I really am in a positive manner?

These questions are all fundamental to create a good perception of yourself in the minds of the admission committee. Take extra care to use the proper words and the right language, the way you write can also say a lot about you.

All in all, perception can vary drastically depending on the person reading the personal statement. The best thing to do is to be yourself and ask yourself the questions above to see if your statement is accurately representing who you are and who, or rather what, you want to be.

Concluding our dental school personal statement example analysis.

As always DAT Prep can serve as a good source of preparation for the Dental Admission Test. Yet once that part is done you must concern yourself with what comes next, your future as a dental school student, hence this article. Remember that the DAT is just one step in a longer process, once you get into dental school, you’ll see for yourself.

When you think about how to write a good personal statement just think about our dental school personal statement example. It will make your work a lot easier. Analyze the parts that we didn’t mention and make sure to write a great personal statement that really reflects who you are, why you should be in dental school and what kind of dental professional you’re going to become once you graduate from dental school.

Organic Chemistry Lab Techniques.

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